Whats Next For Miami's Big Three?

After a complete domination in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs retake the reigns as the best team in basketball, and for the first time in four years, we don't know what's next for the Miami Heat and their Big Three.

The legacy of the Big Three will be controversial between NBA fans.

You can say that they had a great run with four straight NBA Finals appearances. You can add that to the fact that they were back-to-back champions. 

You could also say that they were only mediocre for having three perennial All Stars and only winning two out of four NBA Championships.

As for now nobody knows how the Miami Heat, or any NBA team for that matter, will look next season and we could be in for a major shakeup now that it is decision time for a number of athletes in the NBA.

I believe that the 2012-13 Miami Heat will go down as one of the best teams in the history of the NBA, but their other three seasons of the James/Wade/Bosh era were not as impressive to me. 

They did get the NBA title in 2011-12, but that was a rough lockout season that was finished off with an NBA Finals that consisted of basically talent-vs-talent instead of a team-vs-team feel to it, headlined with LeBron James vs Kevin Durant.

Now the Miami Heat's flame seems to be burning out.

The NBA's greatest shooter, Ray Allen, is considering retiring. Shane Battier, who was a key piece during the Heat's last two championships, is set to retire. Mike Miller, who was also a key cognitive to the Miami Heat's two year reign and whose presence was definitely missed during this year's playoff run, is off helping another team's championship pursuit after being amnestied by the Heat. 

The trade of Joel Anthony, who was a beloved teammate in Miami, and ending up with Toney Douglas also seemed to be an issue for the Heat during the season. They even brought in a couple project players in Michael Beasley and Greg Oden, but that didn't pay off for them at the end and both rarely saw any playing time in the post-season.

And now the front office must wait on the decisions of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James.

You can put a hold on the Carmelo Anthony talks in South Beach for now, because until their Big Three have made up their minds there isn't anything they can do to pursue Anthony.

Miami's best case scenario at this point would be for all three of their stars to opt-OUT of their current contracts and rework them so that they could add yet another big named player. 

If the players do decide to go this route it would set up Dwayne Wade to settle for a much lower salary because of his injury problems as of late. Bosh would also have to make a financial sacrifice and unlike last time where Bosh was able to sign for the highest contract of the three, he would be taking a back seat to LeBron and possibly another star player.

LeBron James decision is the key here, of course, and what he decides will have a domino affect on the entire NBA this offseason. 

His personal legacy may have took a hit with his third loss in five NBA Finals appearances, but his current status is still the best basketball player in the NBA, for now.

He could choose to stay and still opt out of his current contract, but only to sign for even less money (Of course he did just hit the jackpot millions in an investment he made in 2008) so maybe it wouldn't hurt his pockets too bad. 

He could also decide to jet back to his hometown and make a run with the Cleveland Cavaliers more young and athletic up-and-coming squad. That Cavaliers team is also arguably a better supporting cast to James over the Miami Heat's current roster.

At this time those are the only true viable spots that I can honestly see James going to. But hey, the Knicks, Bulls, and Lakers are hoping their names on the list too.

I am betting he stays in South Beach, but I am not too certain on his Big Three counterparts. I can see the Heat making a move for a Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Love if both Bosh and Wade opt out, and though it may be hard to believe I can see the Heat moving forward from the Bosh/Wade-era in Miami.

Kevin Love To Test Free Agent Market Next Summer

Minnesota Timberwolves three-time all star power forward Kevin Love has informed the team that does not plan on signing an extension and that he plans on testing the market when he becomes a free agent at the end of next season.

It was pretty obvious that Love was going to take this route since the Timberwolves have failed to make the playoffs since Kevin Garnett's MVP run in the 2003-04 season; Kevin Love wasn't drafted until 2008.

The Timberwolves were initially not planning on trading Love and were hoping to show their all star forward why he should stay in Minnesota. Since the news broke of Love not wanting to sign an extension the Wolves have softened their stance and are now listening to offers.

The 10 year hiatus from the playoffs is the main reason Love is looking to switch allegiances and move to a team that is an immediate contender.

Not surprisingly the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and New York Knicks are at the top of the list of teams to try and make a move for Love. It is expected that just about every team in the NBA will come calling for a chance to snag Love and add them to their rosters. 

The Timberwolves will be looking to get a high first round pick in this years talented draft, as well as some experience players that can keep the team relevant until they are done rebuilding, as they have for the last 10 years.

I found an interesting article on ESPN.com showing different scenarios for a Kevin Love trade if the Timberwolves decide to go that route, "Wolves' menu of options for Love". Check out some of the scenarios ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst laid out because it would make sense for Minnesota to go one of those routes.

Kevin Love has not formally asked for a trade but his representatives at Excel Sports are reportedly pushing the Minnesota Timberwolves president Flip Saunders to find a suitable deal by the time free agency opens up in July; preferably by the NBA Draft on June 26.

The Timberwolves are still holding on to the chance that they can get Kevin Love to stay in Minnesota. They will be able to offer Love a contract worth about $26.5 million more than any other team can offer. I doubt that Kevin Love is going to be looking for a major payday, and instead could be on a quest for a ring.

The Wolves are currently on the hunt for a coach as well and until Kevin Love's situation is taken care coaches will be reluctant to take the job.

Love's decision to opt out of the final year of his contract adds him to pretty good list of players who will be free agents next summer including Kyrie Irving, Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Manu Ginobli, Marc Gasol, and Deandre Jordan to name a few.