Heat owner Micky Arison: '100 percent' chance Big Three come back next season

Author:
Brad Rowland
Publish date:
Apr 29, 2014

Micky Arison's Heat have won back-to-back titles thanks to the Big Three. (David Alvarez/Getty Images Spot)

The Heat are somehow managing to fly under the radar during the playoffs despite being back-to-back champions. Miami completed its sweep of the Bobcats on Monday, its first step to pulling off a three-peat.

One minor cloud hanging over the Heat's latest title run is the possibility that their Big Three could split up this summer. All three players -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh -- can opt out of their contracts and become free agents after the season.

But the Heat aren't sweating the situation -- at least not publicly.

Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports that Heat owner Micky Arison went on Miami's 790 The Ticket and professed an incredible amount of confidence that the trio of James, Wade and Bosh would remain with the team:

The most recent indication that those three will stay, be it through not opting out or by opting out and signing longer contracts, is from owner Micky Arison. When asked Monday by 790 The Ticket to give a percentage chance of keeping them with the Heat, he responded, “100 percent.”

Arison's assertion is a bold one. While Miami is the title favorite, it wouldn't be difficult to foresee a scenario in which at least one of the stars leaves should the Heat fall short.

Each star took less money to team up in Miami, and there would be questions about the players' willingness to duplicate that unselfish maneuver. The Heat have enjoyed an incredible amount of success since the Big Three joined forces in 2010, making the NBA Finals in all three completed seasons with a chance for a fourth this season. It would be interesting to see how the players reacted if the Heat were unable to achieve the league's highest honor again.

In February, LeBron gave a strong indication that he's leaning toward staying in Miami. Asked by NBA TV's Steve Smith if he could envision leaving the Heat this summer, LeBron replied: "At this point, I can't."

Last month, Bosh answered "true" when asked if he and James would be in Miami next season.