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What the Miami Heat could pitch to Carmelo Anthony

By Richard Nurse

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes the ball against the Miami Heat on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes the ball against the Miami Heat on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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How could the Miami Heat creep up Carmelo Anthony’s short list?

Conventional wisdom would tell anyone with a sports IQ that the Houston Rockets are the only option for Carmelo Anthony after he parts ways with the Oklahoma City Thunder; sliding him right into the spot opened up by the departures of Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.

But when are decisions in the NBA ever conventional?

Although it may make some cringe, cue the Miami Heat.

Pat Riley‘s tenure as team president–and former coach–has been all about three things: championships, finding fractured stars and reclamation projects. After 15 seasons and career lows in points, field goals, free throws, assists and steals, Anthony would be considered the latter two.

Anthony can be defensive, but rarely comes off as trying to go the extra mile to dispel anyone’s point. So that angle would probably fail as an approach.

Disregard the chance to team up with his buddy Dwyane Wade as well.

He would have the same chance in Houston with Chris Paul and LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers. Besides, he already passed up the chance to potentially form a Big Three by ignoring James’ call to sign a shorter contract in 2006.

The most viable pitch would be opportunity.

Both the Rockets and Heat would be offering Anthony the designated power forward spot.

However after meeting with an interested head coach Erik Spoelstra, he would come away knowing what the Heat had to offer.

Finding a home in Houston would mean standing in the corners and hoisting as many 3’s as his arms would allow. Moving to Miami, would allow him to moonlight behind the 3-point line, while also venturing into the post.

A space Spoelstra has not been afraid to place players he believes are capable of thriving in.

In other words, Spoelstra could sell him on being more than a catch-and-shoot stretch 4. He would be more along the lines of a third designated scorer (behind Wade and Dion Waiters), who has the ability to create baskets on his own.

With enough interchangeable bodies to keep him from being worn out.

His minutes would not need to stay high with Kelly Olynyk, James Johnson and Justise Winslow able to sub in and create a change of pace. Which also keeps Spoelstra from allotting Anthony the one thing that never seems promised in a Heat lineup: playing time.

In a roundabout way, it sounds like the Heat are ultimately offering redemption, but what they are  proposing is an opportunity for Anthony to do damage in a semi open Eastern Conference.

Next: How will James’ departure affect the Eastern Conference?

And who can complain about that when they already have money in the bank?

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