Chris Bosh Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Heat Likely To Pursue Carmelo Anthony

June 12th, 2014 at 3:23pm CST by Charlie Adams

3:23pm: Bosh tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he, Wade and James have never discussed the idea of recruiting Anthony to join them on the Heat, casting the idea of all four playing together next season as “very, very unlikely.”

THURSDAY, 8:13am: Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel downplays the notion of Miami making a run at Anthony, writing in his mailbag column that while the Heat are thinking about trying to sign him, the same is true of Miami and virtually every other potential free agent. Winderman doesn’t think the stars would give up enough money to make the possibility feasible within the Heat’s budget.

WEDNESDAY, 6:52pm: The Heat will attempt to turn their “big three” into a “big four” by making a run at Carmelo Anthony this summer, sources tell Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN. ‘Melo holds a player option for the 2014/15 season that he would need to decline before Miami could purse him in free agency, and we heard earlier today that Knicks were pitching a run at LeBron James in the summer of 2015 to try and persuade ‘Melo into sticking around in New York.

In order for such a scenario to come to fruition, James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh would need to exercise the early termination options in their contracts this summer and then re-sign with the team at a discount. Reports have suggested that the trio of All-Stars were interested in opting out to search of more lucrative deals, but sources tell Stein and Windhorst that the “leading players” of the team, presumably the Big Three, have started to explore their options for creating sufficient financial flexibility to make a run at ‘Melo feasible.

Since the only contract guaranteed to be on Miami’s books next year is Norris Cole‘s $2MM pact, the Heat could find themselves with more cap room than any other team this summer. Cooperation from Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen, both of whom possess player options, is instrumental in the pursuit of Anthony as well, but it’s certainly feasible the Heat find a way to clear enough room to make Anthony a tempting offer.

James, Wade, Bosh, and Anthony have at least discussed the idea of playing together one day, writes Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (on Twitter), who also tweets that while the idea of the quartet of stars joining forces might be a hard one to swallow, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Meanwhile, Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio opines via Twitter that there’s “no way” ‘Melo joins the Heat this summer. If ‘Melo were to sign in Miami this offseason, the Heat would lay claim to four of the top five selections of the 2003 draft.

Rockets Likely To Decline Parsons’ Option

June 4th, 2014 at 10:02am CST by Ryan Raroque

WEDNESDAY, 10:02am: The Rockets are leaning toward turning down their option on Parsons, but the team has yet to finalize its decision, a source tells Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Houston is nonetheless likely to decline the option, unless it gets the sense that he’ll receive offers it deems too high, Feigen hears. The willingness to make Parsons a free agent this summer indicates the team’s confidence in its ability to sign a marquee free agent this summer, as Feigen observes. Houston would have to clear a significant amount of salary off its books to make that happen, but the Rockets like their chances of moving Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, since they would be looking for cap flexibility rather than players in return, Feigen reports.

TUESDAY, 9:35pm: The Rockets plan to decline Chandler Parsons‘ fourth-year team option and make him a restricted free agent this summer, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski ofYahoo Sports. Parsons’ 2014/15 option is worth $960K, and if Houston decided to ultimately pick up that option, the 6’9 forward would hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2015. The team is said to be wary of allowing Dan Fegan – Parsons’ agent – the ability to land his client a monster contract on the open market next year, and by letting Parsons hit restricted free agency this July, Houston could simply match an offer sheet and keep him on a long-term deal.

Interestingly, Wojnarowski points out a few other distinct advantages that Houston has by letting Parsons hit free agency now. The Rockets reportedly have their sights set on chasing after big time free agents who have the option of opting out of their deals this summer, including LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and Dirk Nowitzki. In one scenario, Wojnarowski writes that the Rockets could secure a max free agent to play alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden, and then subsequently re-sign Parsons to a new contract below the max-level range. Wojnarowski also hears that the Rockets are also pursuing Timberwolves star Kevin Love in trade talks, adding that Parsons could alternately be used as a bargaining chip in a potential sign-and-trade with Minnesota.

Selected 38th overall in 2011, Parsons has not only proven to be one of the most promising young players at his position, but one of the best value players in the entire league. In 74 games this past season, the former Florida Gator averaged 16.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.2 SPG in 37.2 MPG while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.0% from long distance. After earning roughly $890K in 2013/14, Parsons – according to a league executive – could command as much as $12MM or $13MM annually on his next contract.

Houston will have until June 30 to formally decline the option. At the very least, says Wojnarowski, doing so clears the way for Parsons to receive an enormous payday now and creates a better climate for the Rockets to negotiate an extension with their prized young forward.

Eastern Rumors: Heat, Stephenson, Draft

June 3rd, 2014 at 2:03pm CST by Chuck Myron

Chris Bosh made comments in March that seemed to indicate that he knew LeBron James would remain with the Heat for next season, but Dwyane Wade said Monday that the team’s trio of stars haven’t spoken with each other about this summer’s free agency. Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press has that and more, including the latest from Bosh, who reiterated his own plans, once more making his intention to stay with the Heat clear.

“I want to come back. That’s OK to say, I think,” Bosh said. “I can’t speak for anything else and I don’t want to take away from the subject at hand, but I like it here. It’s Miami. Enough said. People are dying to get here.”

While we wait to see if James and Wade are just as enthusiastic about Miami as Bosh is, here’s the latest from around the Eastern Conference:

Lance Stephenson‘s agent, Alberto Ebanks, is hopeful that he and the Pacers will reach agreement on a new deal this summer, as Ebanks tells Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. Still, Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said Monday that while he wants Stephenson back, he added that the team will set a price point for the shooting guard and won’t exceed it, Zagoria notes.
K.J. McDaniels, Jabari Brown, Drew Crawford, Lamar Patterson and Scottie Wilbekin are among the prospects scheduled to work out for the Hornets on Wednesday, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Wilbekin returns for a second time after performing for the team Monday as part of a group that included Justin Cobbs, Langston Hall, Sean Kilpatrick and Ian Miller, as Bonnell also notes. (All Twitter links).
An ankle injury scrubbed Jahii Carson‘s scheduled audition for the Raptors today, observes Holly MacKenzie of Sportsnet (Twitter link).

Bosh Wants To Stay With Heat, Open To Discount

May 28th, 2014 at 10:54am CST by Chuck Myron

10:54am: Bosh said at a shootaround today that he’s definitely coming back to the Heat next season, Lieser tweets.

12:43am: Chris Bosh said in an appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show on ESPN Radio that he wants to remain with the Heat and is willing to do so at less than the maximum salary if necessary, notes Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post. Bosh has an early termination option worth $20.59MM for next season, and he can opt out and sign a new contract that guarantees more salary over the long term than called for in his current deal, which covers two more seasons.

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t want to go anywhere,” Bosh said. “I like it here. It’s Miami. Everybody wants to come here. Yeah.”

The news contradicts at least part of a February report suggesting that Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade weren’t interested in agreeing to discounts on their next deals, as all three did when they signed with the Heat in 2010. It also seems to run counter to rumors earlier this year that painted Bosh as the most likely of the Heat’s trio of stars to leave Miami. More recently, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com wrote that it would take a “dream scenario” for James to sign elsewhere this summer. While that coupled with Wade’s career-long connection to Miami may still make Bosh more open to leaving that his other All-Star teammates, it nonetheless seems unlikely that Bosh would depart. That’s in spite of his apparent interest in the Lakers, which L.A. reciprocates.

Bosh might view the Lakers not as a destination for this summer but as a landing spot if he chooses to leave the Heat farther into the future, though that’s just my speculation. The Henry Thomas client might be able to make more money next season if he opts in than if he were to become a free agent this summer, even if he signed a new max deal. That’s because the salary he’d make next year on his existing deal represents a more than 10% raise on his pay this season, and he’d be limited to no more than a 5% raise if he becomes a free agent, unless the maximum salary for a player of his experience exceeds that amount. It won’t be clear just how high that max, which was $19,181,750 this past season, will climb until after the July Moratorium, past the deadline for Bosh to decide on that option.

He’d have to opt out to give the Heat a discount, and he said today that he’d take less “if that’s what it takes.” It’s conceivable that Heat president Pat Riley will appeal to his stars to take less this summer to alleviate the club’s heavy tax burden, as Miami would have to pay crippling repeat-offender tax rates if it winds up above the tax line again next season. Cheaper deals for Bosh, James and Wade would also allow the team greater flexibility to add talent to an aging roster.

Eastern Notes: Heat, Hornets, Knicks

May 25th, 2014 at 8:39am CST by Eddie Scarito

The Heat are facing some major uncertainty next season, writes Andrew Keh of the New York Times. Of course, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all have early termination options, but a number of other players including Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers will be free agents. Guard Norris Cole is the only player on the books next season.

Lakers, Chris Bosh Have Mutual Interest

May 7th, 2014 at 4:23pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Lakers and Chris Bosh have interest in each other as Bosh nears potential free agency this summer, reports Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. The Mavs are apparently unwilling to shell out a premium for the Heat big man, as we noted earlier today, and while Amico suggests money may be a stumbling block for the purple-and-gold, it appears the two sides can see a path to a deal. Amico first wrote of L.A’s interest in February.

Bosh has hinted that he and LeBron James are most likely to stick in Miami for at least one more year. Both have early termination options on their contracts worth $20.59MM, and both would be in line for a starting salary worth close to that amount if they were to hit the market. They’re not necessarily a package deal, Amico writes, noting that while Bosh and James have a fully functioning professional relationship, they aren’t close friends.

The Lakers only have about $34.1MM in commitments for next season, so finding the cap room necessary to fit a max deal for Bosh wouldn’t be a problem as long as the Lakers want to shell out that much for the 30-year-old, who’ll probably command a four-year contract. The acquisition of the Henry Thomas client would accelerate the Lakers’ rebuilding project and likely please Kobe Bryant, who’s ever-anxious to win, but it would make it more difficult for the club to pursue Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo or other marquee talents set to hit free agency in 2015.

Bosh may also elect to put himself in that 2015 class of free agents if he opts in, and perhaps the Lakers consider a pursuit of the former No. 4 overall pick more likely then. Regardless of when he hits the market, he’ll draw plenty of eyes around the league. Bosh is No. 3 in the latest Hoops Rumors Free Agent Power Rankings, and our Charlie Adams examined his free agent stock in March.

Mavs Unlikely To Pursue Chris Bosh

May 7th, 2014 at 11:37am CST by Chuck Myron

The Mavs don’t consider Chris Bosh a proper fit with Dirk Nowitzki and aren’t interested in offering him anything close to the maximum salary he’ll likely command if he chooses to become a free agent this summer, according to Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Earlier this season, league executives reportedly expected the Mavs to go after the Dallas native, but Bosh has made it clear that he doesn’t like the idea of playing in his hometown, McMahon asserts.

Bosh has an early termination option worth $20.59MM for next season. If he opts out, his next contract can include a starting salary of up to $20,020,875 or the maximum salary for a veteran of 10 or more seasons, whichever is higher. It would be a tight squeeze for the Mavericks to cram such a deal for Bosh plus a new contract for Nowitzki, likely to be worth between $10-12MM annually, under the cap. The Mavs and Nowitzki have repeatedly stated their plans to continue their long-running relationship, so it doesn’t sound like there’s room for Bosh, particularly given the similarities between the way Bosh and Nowitzki play on offense.

Dallas would prefer to make a run at soon-to-be free agent Marcin Gortat or trade for Tyson Chandler to fill the center position, McMahon writes. The team also intends to keep incumbent starter Samuel Dalembert, whose nearly $3.9MM salary for next season is partially guaranteed for $1.8MM. Bosh has hinted that he and LeBron James will stay in Miami for at least one more year.

Eastern Notes: Heat, Anthony, Young, Raptors

April 15th, 2014 at 6:23pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The general consensus among several NBA executives is that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will presumably re-sign with the Heat, says Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. As for Carmelo Anthony, most executives reportedly believe that the seven-time All-Star will re-up with the Knicks (Twitter links).

Unfortunately, the Knicks reported today that an MRI revealed a small tear in Anthony’s right labrum; however, no surgery is needed and he’ll be re-evaluated in a month (Twitter links via the official Knicks PR account). Depending on how one looks at it, it may be considered a blessing that the star forward will not risk aggravating the injury by trying to play through pain had New York made the playoffs this year. Al Iannazzone of Newsday (via Twitter) notes that Anthony decided to continue playing on a torn labrum in his left shoulder at the end of last season.

Here’s more out of the Eastern Conference tonight:

Thaddeus Young isn’t sure if his time with the 76ers is running out, but the veteran forward tells Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that he’ll remain with the team as long as they want him and he’s under contract. Young is still on the books for 2014/15; however, the Sixers could look to deal him this summer if they feel that he’ll eventually choose to turn down his $9.8MM player option for 2015/16, adds Pompey.
Soon-to-be restricted free agents Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez are “immensely open” to re-signing with the Raptors on long-term deals this summer, according to Shams Charania of RealGM. Charania also hears from DeMar DeRozan, who says he never thought about trying to push for an early escape from his four-year extension when the team was struggling early this season.
Nets GM Billy King is exploring all of the team’s options in the NBDL right now, relays Tim Bontemps of the New York Post (via Twitter). King added that an announcement will be made as soon as a decision is reached.
Toney Douglas considers himself to be in a more advantageous position heading into free agency this summer after making the most of his chance to revive his career with the Heat this season, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: Hopson, Augustin, Heat

April 1st, 2014 at 8:57pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Cavs used the room exception to sign Scotty Hopson on Monday, but because the maximum 4.5% raise permitted via the exception is tied to what he actually makes, rather than the exception’s full value, Hopson isn’t a particularly intriguing trade chip. Mark Deeks of ShamSportsexplains the matter in his latest piece for the Score, noting that Hopson’s salary of about $1.37MM this season and $1.44MM next season is roughly equivalent to what a veteran of 10 seasons or more would make on a minimum-salary deal. Hopson is ineligible to be traded until July 10th, meaning he’s of no use for a draft-night trade.

More news from around the east:

Since being picked up by the Bulls after Toronto waived him in December, D.J. Augustin has averaged 14.3 PPG on nearly 42 percent shooting, including 41 percent from 3-point range, in 30.4 minutes per contest. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, but would love to return to Chicago, writes Cody Westerlund of CBSChicago.com.
The Heat‘s “Big Three” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh can all become free-agents after the season. There has been speculation that one or all three would consider leaving Miami, but before making any decision, the trio plan to sit down together to discuss their options, writes Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.
Phil Jackson has been to only two of the eight games the Knicks have played since he took over their basketball department. Some say Jackson should be with the team as much as possible to get to know the players and staff and help them in any way he can as they try to make their playoff push, but Carmelo Anthony is not one of them, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Anthony said, “He’s smart. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been in this situation before with fighting for spots and trying to win basketball games. So he knows what to expect, and now he’s on the outside looking in. I guess he’s giving us our space. We’re not really concerned about that.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Bosh, LeBron To Stay In Miami Next Season?

March 25th, 2014 at 6:26pm CST by Charlie Adams

Chris Bosh spoke on ESPN Radio’s Dan Le Batard Show and told Le Batard that he and LeBron James would be playing for Miami next season, reports Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report. Both James and Bosh have the ability to terminate their contracts early and enter free agency this summer, but Bosh responded with “true” when asked a pair of true/false questions inquiring whether he and James would be playing for the Heat next year.

While Bosh’s words are by no means binding, they do come in the midst of heavy speculation that the “Big Three” might be on their way out of Miami, each in search of a max deal. It’s certainly possible that Bosh and James terminate their contracts, which have the potential to extend until the 2015/16, only to re-sign longer pacts with the Heat. Of course, Dwyane Wade has the option to end his deal with the club and enter free agency as well, but Bosh made no comments to Le Batard regarding Wade’s intentions this offseason.

The tone of the interview was “lighthearted,” according to Skolnick, but Bosh’s comments should nonetheless serve some level of comfort to Heat fans who’ve been hearing speculation of James returning to Cleveland and Bosh heading off to Dallas this summer. Another championship couldn’t hurt the superstars’ willingness to stay, and the Heat are definitely capable of going all the way again in 2013/14. James and Bosh respectively sit at number one and three on the Hoops Rumors 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings.