The Phoenix Suns are planning to make an aggressive play for both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
“Suns officials understand the bid will be something of a long shot, but are determined to get a meeting with James to convince him how the possibilities of two full max contracts, a roster stocked with talented, young players and the chance to pick the superstar free-agent partner of his choice ought to make Phoenix one of his most appealing suitors,” Wojnarowski writes.
The Suns won 48 game last season behind talented young players such as Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Miles Plumlee, and the franchise would be able to keep all three while adding James and Anthony. Phoenix has $33.5 million total in salary-cap space.
The Suns’ financial flexibility also allows for the possibility of adding James, then letting the four-time MVP choose another star of his liking from free agency, according to Wojnarowski. Phoenix would then have enough money to sign a third star — such as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love — from next year’s free agency pool.
The Suns plan to lure both Anthony and James into at least meeting with team officials. The team’s best bet, according to Yahoo sources, is to get Anthony on board with the idea of realistically playing with James.
James and Miami Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have been discussing financial terms of their contracts with one another, according to ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne. Windhorst and Shelburne report that the meetings could be an indication that James plans to re-sign with Miami once he becomes a free agent on Tuesday.
For now, Phoenix plans to keep courting James and Anthony.
