In a recent episode of "The OGs" podcast, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas revealed that he nearly joined the Miami Heat in 2003, a move that could have significantly altered the course of both his career and the Heat's history. The backcourt duo of Arenas and Dwyane Wade was almost a reality, but the deal fell through due to Miami's then-president, Pat Riley, hesitating to offer the young Arenas a lucrative contract.
"I was supposed to be your teammate. 2003, I'm a free agent. And it's Lamar Odom, the number one free agent. I'm number two. You guys already had D. Wade. Pat Riley was coming after me, and they were saying we're going to play you guys at the one and two."
"So I have a backcourt, me and him at the one and two. And because they want to try D. Wade at the one, we can put you at the two. We can go vice versa."
"So, but Pat Riley said, I don't feel comfortable paying a young guy 55 million that who hasn't proven himself because to be honest I only played about a total of hundred some games my first two years. Bryon Russell opted out of his deal and Wizards money went up to about 64-65. I ain't even negotiating no more. I said I'm taking it."
At the time, Arenas was one of the hottest free agents, coming off a season in which he averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 assists per game for the Golden State Warriors, earning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Despite his impressive performance, Arenas was still seen as a somewhat unproven talent, having only two seasons of experience in the league. This uncertainty made Riley hesitant to commit to the six-year, $55 million deal that Arenas was seeking.
Arenas recounted on the podcast how Riley envisioned him playing alongside Wade, with the two guards potentially switching between the point guard and shooting guard positions. However, Riley ultimately decided against the deal, citing concerns over offering such a large contract to a player who, in his view, had not yet fully proven himself.
In Washington, Arenas flourished, becoming one of the league's most prolific scorers and earning three consecutive All-Star selections. Meanwhile, the Heat would go on to acquire Shaquille O'Neal the following year, forming a powerful duo with Wade that led Miami to its first NBA championship in 2006.
While both Arenas and the Heat found success in their respective paths, it's intriguing to consider what might have been if Arenas had teamed up with Wade in Miami. The combination of Arenas' scoring prowess and Wade's all-around game could have made the Heat an even more formidable force in the mid-2000s, potentially leading to multiple championships during that era.
