The 2013-14 NBA season has not even begun to start and already people are starting to talk about free agency next summer. With some of the biggest names in the league set to hit the market, teams are already making plans. Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are just a few of players with expiring contracts, leaving many to speculate where they will head. As the Los Angeles Lakers plan a run at a few players, the New York Knicks are hoping to lock into a long-term future with Anthony.
ESPNNewYork.com reports the Knicks are hoping Anthony stays put in the Big Apple for many years to come. In order for Anthony to become a free agent next summer, he would have to opt out of a $23.3 million salary for the following season and become a free agent. That is a great deal of money to leave on the table. If Anthony were to sign another max-contract with a team other than the Knicks, he could lose $33 million in guaranteed cash. General manager Glen Grunwald is hoping to avoid that lock into a "long-term, successful partnership" with Anthony.
These comments come just after the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a big push to sign both Anthony and James. The Lakers missed out on Dwight Howard and decided to prepare for next summer's free agency instead. While many sources view both James and Anthony headed to Los Angeles as a long shot, the Lakers are not committing to any contracts past this season in preparation.
The Lakers are trying to offer players like Anthony a chance to join a new superstar-filled roster. Los Angeles will have Steve Nash under contract still and will likely retain Kobe Bryant past his current contract. The only way both players could join is if Bryant takes a pay cut and recruits Anthony. With those two on the roster, the Lakers feel it is enough to entice James to join as well. That is a lot of "what ifs" for the Lakers.
Neither player will take a serious look at any options until the end of next season. The Knicks have the money issue working in their favor and will likely attempt to add someone to the roster that would please Anthony and be another top player. If James is going to leave Miami, it will have to be a similar situation to the one created with Wade and Bosh.
Everything with next summer is purely speculation. The Knicks are reassuring their fanbase that while the Lakers may want Anthony, they do too. New York intends on holding onto the reigning scoring champ as long as they possibly can.
