MIAMI _ The Miami Heat have been linked to Carmelo Anthony's apparent impending exodus from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With Oklahoma City facing a massive luxury-tax penalty in the wake of Paul George re-signing with the team, multiple media outlets reported Friday that the Thunder are exploring exit strategies with the former All-Star forward.
While there previously had been speculation of the Heat shedding future salary in a trade for Anthony, 34, it now is clear that the Thunder are looking for immediate savings, most likely with some sort of buyout or utilization of the cap-saving "stretch provision" release.
Should Anthony wind up as a free agent, the Heat likely would be limited to no more than a bid of the $5.3 million taxpayer mid-level exception, a figure that the Heat also may have to instead utilize for a potential return by Dwyane Wade.
According to ESPN, "The Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers are among multiple teams expected to express interest in Anthony."
Unlike the Rockets and Lakers, the Heat are viewed as a nominal contender.
As it is, among the factors playing into Anthony's desire to move on is playing time, which could become an issue with a Heat team potentially seeking to expand playing time for younger prospects such as Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Bam Adebayo and Derrick Jones Jr.
Anthony, who is due $27.9 million in salary this season and holds the right to veto any trade, bristled after last season at the notion of playing as a reserve going forward.
"I don't think I can be effective as that type of player," he said. "I think I was willing to accept that challenge in that role, but I think I bring a little bit more to the game as far as being more knowledgeable and what I still can do as a basketball player."
