Dating back to LeBron James’ high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, he’s been the center of attention. And, for the most part, the four-time champion and former Miami Heat forward surpassed every conceivable expectation placed on his burly shoulders.
Fast forward 23 years after he was drafted, and James, once again, has captured headlines leaguewide as to where he’ll continue his career after informing the Los Angeles Lakers this week he will no longer don purple and gold. And the Miami Heat are a potential landing spot, too.
But don’t expect a decision — no, no, not The Decision — to be made anytime soon.
“I don’t think it’ll be the next few days,” Paul said, according to Forbes’ Mark Medina.
“This is the first time he’s making a decision that is truly for him. There is no pressure. … When he left Cleveland [in 2010 for Miami], he had to win a ring. When he came back [in 2014], he had to deliver on the promise. This is at this stage where he can decide what he wants to do and how he wants to do it.
“I can’t tell the man how fast to move. When he’s telling me what he’s deciding, that’s when I’ll let you guys know.”
The Miami Heat are on LeBron James’ shortlist:
Entering the first weekend since free agency tipped off this week, the Heat have 12 players rostered with roughly $10.2 million in space below the first apron hard cap.
Each of the Heat’s initial moves — such as acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo (and Bobby Portis) from the Milwaukee Bucks, re-signing Simone Fontecchio and securing Tim Hardaway Jr. — can’t be made official until July 6. That leaves the possibility of more moves trickling in that we may not know about yet.
Rich Paul recently revealed that 10 teams were possible destinations for the 22-time All-Star, with Miami being one of the five teams prominently featured.
The other four teams include the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers, where James played 11 seasons across two separate stints.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer doesn’t appear to be prioritizing money for the first time in his career. That’s good news for the Heat, who will only be able to offer less than $8 million of their $8.5 million mid-level exception.
This free agency class is pretty poor, and there aren’t many more viable options left. Miami needs more ballhandling, shot creation and 3-point shooting around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. James would offer the former two, but is also entering his age-42 season.
Do you think a LeBron James reunion in the cards? Let us know in the comments!
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I read that DeMar DeRozan and Zach Levine may be stretched and waived as early as today. Wouldn’t it be peachy if Miami can land one or both of them on vet minimum contracts?
I think both of those players will have more interest around the league, so the idea that they’ll take league minimum in Miami seems far fetched to me. Great if it happens, but unlikely. Maybe Miami offers the max they can of $5-6M for one of them, and get it done.
If they are interested in a ring they just might, especially if they are bought out and waived.
I think Lavine with this roster would bring out what he does well and would run to sign him. Other teams that could use him have more money, so we’ll see.
the best jovic in pro sports is the lady tennis player not the heat bball player
Surely she can play basketball better then him.
shes better at tennis than shnozzy at hoops
My thought is the better a team we become, the more chance LeBron comes here. We should be trying to acquire players right now to reassure LeBron he has a shot at the glory. There is no reason to wait to make any moves. And there are still moves to be made that could improve this team.
3 more vets will be added doubt goat is one ,this is a vet laden squad with 3-5 year window after that.dont want to think of it now lets enjoy greeks years
The issue is we have no idea how much money to play with? If they are holding back $5 mil for Bron, then they could sign a vet minimum like a Middleton, if he takes it. But if he doesn’t come then that $5 becomes a decent amount for the guys waiting around. For example, Bruce Brown. He just played on a $3 mil vet minimum, so adding $2 more would get him to sign. It would also probably take at least $5 to sign DeRozan. Other teams that need him have more $.
Its a 42 years old with an intention to make a bombastic farewell. One may say that this fits Miami better then Minnesota or Cleveland, but if you want a serious team chasing glory, there is no place for such things.
I could live without him also. For example, I’d rather have Beal and/or DeRozan more. Or, either one of them and another helpful player more.
You can’t acquire players plural. Officially tomorrow, 12 players will be under contract. If LeBron comes, Bronny comes too. Though i doubt it will happen, that makes 14 players. So, you can add only one if you wait for Decision Part 3.
I understand your and 2qbn’s point. I guess we are held up salary- wise to some extent. But, getting one well chosen player right now would be better than waiting and possibly getting nothing.
Amen! One player immediately (such as Beal).
Agree!
I doubt that. LBJ waited that Bronnys contract becomes guarantied , and informed LAL after that that he is leaving.
Bronny improved a bit, and he had some good minutes in play off last season (better then many bench warmers in LA had), so he is a decent player for his salary. There is a place for such player in LA, maybe somewhere else too.
He is worse then Gardner, for example, but as 10-15 player makes sense for LA, which have similar problems then Heat. Elite talent and not much behind.
Excuse me, but that is totally chicken shit on LeBron’s part and stupid on Miami’s part to leave 2 spots open in the remote possibility James wants to come to Miami and bring his son with him.
If he can’t decide, Miami should proceed to bring in the 2 best free agents available and leave one spot open for a possible buyout player such as DeRozan or Lavine. If the Heat signs Beal first, the pressure will be on James to decide what he is going to do before they sign the second player.
If James is seriously considering Miami, he will give in and sign with the Heat. If he isn’t serious, the Heat will have flushed him out and moved on with assembling the best team possible, without waiting until all the better free agents have signed elsewhere.
What players in Miami’s price range have they lost out on? None. Simple fact Miami is waiting on folks to basically accept the minimum regardless of LeBron.
I think they are waiting on LeBron’s decision and also to find out which players will be stretched and waived. Everything should be much clearer in a week or so.
If you add one free agent and make it known you intend to add 2 and 3, LeBron will have one last chance to make his decision. By failing to act he will make his decision known as it relates to Miami.
I read that he might make the decision on July 9, in the next 5 days, when the Las Vegas summer league games start there. If that’s true, fine.
If he hasn’t decided by Friday the 10th or Monday the 13th at the latest, Riley should presume Miami was never in the running and proceed to fill out the roster…via free agents and buyout candidates.
I’m sure he can find three players who would like the opportunity to play alongside of Bam and Giannis, have Spo as their coach and compete for a title. Warm winter weather and no state income tax also help as incentives.
Exactly! As you said, FTS!
Passive-aggressive behavior is an indirect way of expressing anger or resentment. Rather than addressing an issue head-on, it manifests through actions like silent treatment, backhanded compliments, sarcasm, or intentional procrastination.
Apparently, there are six or seven teams putting off free agent signings while James contemplates his decision. In effect, by waiting, he is putting all those teams at a big disadvantage. While they wait, free agents are signing elsewhere. Who knows, he may ultimately end up signing with a team not yet being rumored to be considered. If he is doing this as a passive aggressive way of getting back at Riley/Spoelstra for past differences, the longer they wait, the more damage he will do to the team.
Historically, James is known to delay free agency decisions well into July to carefully weigh his options. He announced his famous “The Decision” to leave Cleveland on July 8 in 2010 and his decision to leave Miami to return to Cleveland on July 11, 2014. Sometimes, you must make it clear that you are not willing to wait indefinitely for a decision. Riley should make his best offer to James and set a firm deadline. If James has not responded or not provided a good reason for further delays, Miami should move ahead and select the best available players who can help strengthen the team.
Sometimes in life you must take what you can get. There are several free agents available (such as Beal, Westbrook, Trent, Mathurin, Baldwin, Bogdanovic and Clarkson) and others who may be bought out and released (such as DeRozan, LeVine, Klay Thompson, Calwell-Pope, etc.). If Miami delays free agent signings in order to have money available to sign players who may be bought out, such as DeRozan, Thompson and others, I can understand it. However, if Miami delays signing free agent players while they wait for LeBron’s decision, I think it may be a very big mistake.
he came here to play with d wade wades long gone .hes waiting for ad to get traded to cleve gsw. get derozan beal middleton some established vets before its to late.
Abso-f***ing-lutely. Games are for children. Dude is damn near 42. Time to quit playing games. FTS!
y dont u go say that to his face your out in la la land
I’m not getting paid an annual salary and benefits or 20% of the team’s $6B+ value to run the organization. Maybe the guy who is should get his butt out here and earn his money.
unfort when your the goat.your head and ego become very very large.its good for the nba keeps them in the headlines maybe adam martian man silver behind this
While there was external speculation that the Ayton trade might be a prelude to moving Davis, team executives and NBA insiders have confirmed that Washington has no interest in listening to trade offers for him. The Wizards view him—along with Trae Young—as a vital piece of their competitive roster going forward and intend to discuss a long-term contract extension with him
Thats Washington, ties only. Nobody heard about street clothes over there.
Also, you have said many times that Riley had nothing to do with LeBron coming here. While I totally agree he wanted to play with his friend, the time has come to put that idea to rest , based on the facts. Riley acquired Zo, Timmy, Shaq, LeBron, Bosh, Butler, and now Giannis. That’s a pretty good track record.
Rileys a top 3-5 gm all time no doubt.Top 3 -5 coach all time.We are so blessed to have the arison riley connecton.
And don’t get me wrong, he’s made his share of mistakes.
drafting dwade good enough for me..watching him play for about 15 years gives pat lifetime pass,wade was not a certainty to be a ss like lebron wemby shaq magic bird.etc.watapick.of course when u start giving one wayers and no wayers big contracts the ripping starts
But you didn’t give him a pass. You’ve been ragging on him for years.
People really think Riley had nothing to do with the Heat maneuvering over several years to get contracts that ALL expired in the summer of 2010 so that they could go big game fishing the summer that a TON of stars would be FAs? You think Wade gladly sacrificed two of his prime years (2008-2010) with a mediocre team without being assured by Riley that they would be making big moves soon? They might not have known that LeBron would say yes given he very well could have won in Cleveland prior to 2010 and end up staying. But Riley was absolutely instrumental in at least setting up the Heat to get LeBron should him leaving Cleveland happen. And it did.
P.S. One other option to consider, LeBron may intentionally be sabotaging teams who are possible competition to the team he ultimately selects.
LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, officially revealed a whiteboard of realistic free-agency options , with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers emerging as the primary frontrunners.
Paul has reportedly spoken to 27 teams in total , but the list of specific franchises in the running has narrowed to the following:
he wants to play with steph just like play with d wade,im saying gsw or hometown team .think its two team race.mildly surprised if tis another team
He should come out and admit it instead of jacking folks around.
i believe hes waiting for ad to get moved to cleve.what a way to end a career winning it all in your last year in your hometown.even if ad isnt moved hes either going to gsw or cleveland.heat should not be counting on him coming here.i dont think hes fond of riley to much.
As I’ve mentioned, the Riley issue has been resolved long ago. Look at it this way. LeBron has played 23 seasons. He has lost in 19 seasons. He has won 4. Half of those were here.
But I don’t think he’s coming here either.
I agree. Miami is the only team that can offer him a chance to win 4 total titles in one city in the next 2 years. If he wants the east, Miami is the obvious choice. If he wants the west, he should accept the fact that he may not win another title (unless he goes to OKC or San Antonio).
disagree he can go to gsw denver and beat okc spurs
GSW are too old and injury prone. When is quitter due back by the all star break. Denver doesn’t have a deep bench. OKC and SA will be better.
steph and goat joker and goat will outsmart those two teams.iq might be just as important as duncan athleticism
It isn’t bbiq. It’s playoff experience. Both OKC and SA got 5 years of playoff experience crammed into one year (2026).
how many has joker won 1 antman 0 embid 0 tatum 1 kawhi 2 butler 0 butler 0 butler 0 .those rings hard to get i got me 4
How many this decade? 1 which was 7 seasons ago.
I think this is all for television.
LeBron has already said he’s planning to have a film crew follow him around this season, which will probably be his last. Free agency let’s him build the drama before the season even started, and talk about his legacy.
I’d be happy to have LeBron in Miami, but I wouldn’t plan on it. I think he’s going to the Warriors and it’s already decided
That film crew point is an excellent one. They may actually be advising him to stretch this out to further enhance the documentary they are putting together. It may not be nice to the outsider teams, but it’ll make for good tv drama.
Most of us would like to see LeBron come here. He is still a difference maker and I really admire him. But think how you’d feel if we waited 3 or 4 more weeks only to find out he’s going somewhere else and every player we have on our list has signed with other teams? I know how I’d feel, and it wouldn’t be “well, we had to wait even if our chance were minimal “. No, I’d say that, once again, he put us in a difficult position and hurt our team.
I mean about the same as the Lillard drama or the Giannis mid season, with the exception that we all know multiple teams are interest and he’s interested in multiple teams.
If Miami were to stop spending on minimum contracts waiting for LeBron, I might have an issue. But as it is, I think they are in holding patterns until the vets they want figure out the market has dried up and sign for minimum anyway.
I think it’s funny LeBron has managed to keep the spotlight for 20 years. NBA to blame for not making the next star in that time…
Waiting is annoying AF, and brings up old memories that didn’t end well, but which difference maker with the $2 we have are we missing out on? The names of guys available are all interchangeable. Beal, Brown, Simmons etc. Brown might be the one that we have a possible real chance with that would be a solid contributor. Middleton will wait until the end of this to play with Giannis again, so not missing out on him.
No, you’re right. Maybe DeRozan if he becomes available. Agree about Middleton, nobody is breaking down doors to get him. But I never liked being a puppet on anybody’s string.
I m against to come in Miami. He could be more of distraction then anything else.
Since contract extensions can’t be signed until July 6th, Riley should renegotiate Wiggins’ extension to. free up $10M this year in order to offer LeBron the MLE ($15Mish).
He can also promise him the keys to the city, to build a statue after he retires and reduce his defensive load by having good defensive players around him (Giannis, Bam, Wiggins, Mitchell, Larsson, etc.).
In addition, he can offer a combination of positive features most other teams can’t, such as warm weather, no state income taxes, familiar organizational culture and coaching and the an opportunity for Bronny to receive the best coaching and environment possible for him to develop.
If he doesn’t accept that, I don’t know what he is looking for. Does he want Spo to apologize publicly for taking away his cookies and for Riley to get on his knees and beg? FTS!
Okay, let’s look at this, objectively… Miami gives him the best chance to still be Lebron. He gets a featured role, can continue padding his stats, maybe he can f around and get a championship. Defense is taken care of. Lots of weapons at his disposal… Spo and Pat. Miami don’t f around. He would be the closer. We all know Lebron has a big ego… This is the place where his ego can continue.
If he’s on another team, he has to share or they are not productive. Was it me, or did he not thrive with Doncic? I mean he got his, but he had to defer.
Not saying it’s an open and shut case, he has his pick… But, the Heat seem to be the best place for him to be him. Okay, I’m a biased Heat fan, but can you make the argument for other places considering what I wrote?
Happy Independence Day… 250!