LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade Combo Could Team Up In 2018 NBA Free Agency

With free agents like Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry hitting the open market on Saturday, the 2017 NBA offseason promises to be a wild one. But it could be nothing compared to 2018 free agency when the league’s biggest stars will have a chance to alter the landscape of the NBA.

When Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets, he opted into the final year of his contract and put off free agency until next summer. That means Paul, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony all have a chance to become free agents in 2018 and form a “super team” that the All-Star friends have discussed in the past.

READ: Are The Boston Celtics The NBA's Next Super Team?

Paul and Wade will be without contracts when next season ends, while James and Anthony can opt out of the final year of their respective contracts. James and Wade already teamed up seven years ago when they formed the “Big 3” with Chris Bosh in Miami, and it’s no secret that the superstars have desires of playing together, once again.

“I really hope that, before our career is over, we can all play together,” James told Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck last year. “At least one, maybe one or two seasons—me, Melo, D-Wade, CP—we can get a year in. I would actually take a pay cut to do that.

“It would be pretty cool. I've definitely had thoughts about it.”

Shortly after James’ comments became public, The New York Daily News’ Frank Isola reported that Anthony would one day be open to taking a pay cut to chase a ring with his buddies. When asked about the idea of eventually playing on the same team as his superstar friends on the “Open Run” podcast earlier this season, Paul said, “Definitely, anything’s possible.”

Even before the players hit free agency, the rumors have already begun about Anthony joining either Paul or James for the 2017-2018 season. The New York Knicks are trying to trade their best player as they attempt to rebuild, and Anthony will reportedly only accept a deal to the Rockets or Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Chicago Bulls decide to buy out the final year of Dwyane Wade’s contract now that they are rebuilding, the Cavs would become the favorites to sign him.

The idea of all four players joining forces in 2018 seems to be just about impossible. The superstars have indicated that they won’t play together until the end of their careers when they won’t be able to make nearly as much money.

James is still the NBA’s best player and Paul continues to perform at an elite level, meaning they can sign contracts that will pay them upwards of $35 million next season. Anthony and Wade won’t command nearly that kind of money, but no team will be able to sign all four players as free agents under the salary cap, and the idea of even adding three of them would be difficult.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no chance that a couple of them will end up on the same team.

If James decides to leave Cleveland next year, there are rumors that he’ll give heavy consideration to the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. has made it clear that they’re going to be strategic with the free agents they sign this year, leaving enough room to acquire two superstars in 2018.

James and Paul George are believed to be their top two targets, given that the Indiana Pacers’ star has his eyes set on joining the Lakers. That could change, however, with rumors that the Boston Celtics are trying to trade for George and create a title contender of their own.

If George is no longer an option, perhaps one or two of James’ friends would join him in L.A. Anthony and Wade might only have to take minimal pay cuts in order to play with James because of how much cap space the Lakers could have. Adding those three to a team that includes Lonzo Ball, Brook Lopez and Brandon Ingram would put the Lakers right back into the championship picture.

Paul’s destiny is likely to re-sign a long-term deal with the Rockets, who can offer him far more money than anyone else. There are concerns, however, regarding how Paul and James Harden will co-exist in the same offense. He could head elsewhere in 2018 and play with one of the four All-Stars.

Maybe the 2018 offseason will be a quiet one. Paul will probably stay put if Houston’s backcourt experiment works, and it’s hard to see James leaving his hometown for a second time if the Cavs find a way to win another championship.

READ: Houston Rockets Want Paul George Or Carmelo Anthony

Few, however, saw James and Bosh going to the Heat in 2010. James’ return to Cleveland in 2014 appeared to be highly unlikely, as well.

Who’s to say that James won’t continue that trend and flip the basketball world on its head four years after his last shocking decision?