LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh reportedly discuss finances involved in joining forces in Miami

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A source close to Dwyane Wade says the Miami Heat guard has not only discussed the possibility of playing alongside Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh in Miami but has also addressed the financial machinations of such a deal with the other two players, the South Florida Sun Sentinel is reporting.

The three stars, who are free agents this off-season, reportedly acknowledged that it might not be possible for the Heat to start each of the three at the $16.6-million maximum salary that they would be eligible for in the first year of new contracts.

But according to the source, the three have agreed to consider to ‘split the money up,’ if need be.

Agent Henry Thomas, who represents Wade and Bosh, said a meeting between the three superstars in South Florida last weekend -- reported by ESPN -- did not happen.

‘I said when it first broke about that, that the guys would undoubtedly talk with each other, which they have. That’s not a surprise to anyone,’ Thomas said. ‘But this meeting this weekend in Miami just did not take place. Dwyane was not in Miami this weekend.’

When free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT Thursday, the Heat will have a league-high $43.3 million available in salary-cap space -- if my math is correct, that’s $14.4 million each if the three superstars split it evenly.

So if this dream-team scenario takes place, it might cost each of them $2 million or more in potential pay. Sounds like a lot, but it may be worth it especially for James and Bosh, who are still seeking their first NBA championship rings.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.