LAS VEGAS _ The Miami Heat's interest in Carmelo Anthony has proven more than cursory, with ESPN reporting Tuesday that the Heat have met with representatives for the Oklahoma City Thunder forward.
Anthony, 34, is in the process of buyout negotiations with the Thunder, expected to then become available to interested suitors on a minimal contract.
In the wake of his uneven play in Oklahoma City after a trade a year ago from the New York Knicks, Anthony is looking to re-establish his value as an All-Star-level forward.
The Heat and Houston Rockets are believed to be the finalists for Anthony's services, with Rockets officials also said to have met with Anthony's representatives.
Anthony ended last season saying he did not want to play as a reserve, which likely would have been his fate with the Thunder going forward. The Heat's starting forwards at the end of last season were James Johnson and Josh Richardson.
A Heat agreement with Anthony likely would assure a Heat return by close friend Dwyane Wade, who currently is a free agent. It also likely would lead to a return by Heat free-agent forward Udonis Haslem.
The Heat currently find themselves in a transition period, operating above the NBA salary cap and with only a $5.3 million mid-level exception to acquire additional talent. The addition of Anthony, which likely would be on a one-year contract, could potentially serve as a bridge to the team's next incarnation.
