Report: Carmelo to consider joining Heat if waived by Thunder

Carmelo Anthony is reportedly expected to consider the Miami Heat an option if he's waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

A report from earlier this week claimed the Heat, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers were the top contenders to express interest in the 10-time All-Star, according to ESPN's Wojnarowski and Royce Young.

South Beach could be a logical destination for Anthony, with no go-to scorer on the roster and a struggling offense last season. The reputation of the Heat's "culture," however, could help Anthony regain some form as well as an opportunity to become a late-game closer, something they struggled with last year until their mid-season reunion with 36-year-old Dwyane Wade.

The Rockets are also "determined" to sign Anthony, especially after losing forwards Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency, according to Wojnarowski. Rockets point guard Chris Paul has reportedly been advocating for his franchise to land Anthony as well.

If Oklahoma City is unable to unload Anthony via trade without an expensive return, they'll likely waive and stretch his $27.9-million contract after playing just one season with the franchise, saving the Thunder approximately $100 million in luxury tax.

Anthony, 34, averaged a career-low 16.2 points last season - the only time he's ever dipped below the 20-point mark in his 15-year career.