Why Did He Reject Joining the Big Three at Miami? Anthony: Couldn’t Accept a Pay Cut in My Prime Nor Being the Fourth Option on the Team

Recently, during an appearance on 76ers player George’s podcast, Carmelo Anthony discussed why he didn’t join the Miami Heat’s Big Three back then.

Anthony stated,

“I wasn’t ready to team up with others at that time. I couldn’t abandon my own path to join someone else’s, I didn’t think it would work out well. We were all young and pursuing our own paths, so I stayed with the Nuggets. You guys do what you want to do. So, I called them and said, ‘If we were to team up, I could only sign for three years.’ After consulting with my agent, I ultimately decided to stay in Denver for five years. Furthermore, if we had chosen to team up, one of us would have had to take a pay cut down to around $16 or $17 million per year. The three of them made financial sacrifices, which I respect, but it was hard for me to accept such a situation (giving up a five-year max contract to sign for three years with a pay cut).”

“Later, when they achieved success (winning two championships), many people told me I should have joined them (since Anthony never won a championship). But I would say I chose the money. Put yourself in my shoes; I was only 23 or 24 years old, and you want me to be the fourth option on the team? I was leading my team and steering it in the right direction. You want me to leave my team and become the fourth option? I didn’t know how to mentally prepare for that. It wasn’t about the money; it meant I’d have to play a different role and figure out my place on the team.”