NBA: Celtics Analyst Feels Forgotten Star Could Heat Up Miami

Brian Scalabrine, a former NBA player who currently works as an analyst for the Boston Celtics, feels that Carmelo Anthony could be a curious fit to the Miami Heat. Known to some as the White Mamba, the 41-year-old big man who last played for the Chicago Bulls back in 2012 is not buying entirely buying the Heat's claim of a team under development.

Speaking to SiriusXM NBA Radio, he pointed out how the Heat have had the knack for taking in older guys and there could be some traction as far as linking Anthony with the Heat.

"That’s really not Miami’s forte. They like taking guys, like an older guy, Carmelo Anthony, and say, ‘With our good culture we’re going to turn him into what we feel like.’ So I think Miami is interesting and because they’re laying in the weeds. If you haven’t heard talk about it, I actually think that there’s some traction there,” said the 34th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft.

Of course, this should be taken merely as Scalabrine's assessment of the whole Carmelo Anthony situation. While he may have some points worth pondering, it remains that only the likes of Heat president Pat Riley or head coach Erik Spoelstra can answer what direction Miami is headed.

Assuming Anthony is indeed on the Heat radar, he could join through a cap-friendly deal. But can he co-exist with the new face of the franchise - Jimmy Butler? That is perhaps another point worth considering. Melo has been known to want the ball much of the time in his hands and this could pose a problem if both take the floor at the same time.

As things stand now, the 35-year-old remains a free agent waiting in the wings. Rumors were linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks but it appears none has gone beyond. In a previous post, there were suggestions that he could possibly be considered for a spot in Team USA. But per sources, USA Basketball is not headed in the direction, albeit dousing talk on seeing the 10-time NBA All-Star at the FIBA World Cup in China.

Since being waived by the Chicago Bulls last January, the third overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft has been idle. A lot of people believe he can still be of help to any NBA team but so far, there has been little interest in the 2013 NBA scoring champion.