Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts said he never thought he would leave the Charlotte Hornets last season.
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When Josh McRoberts signed with the Miami Heat, it was under the assumption that LeBron James would also be returning to South Florida. However, when James chose to go to Cleveland, McRoberts remained faithful to his commitment and signed a four-year deal worth a bit more than $22 million to play with the Heat.
McRoberts took a leap last season, and was a key factor in Charlotte’s playoff run. A journeyman prior to signing in Charlotte, coach Steve Clifford figured out how to use the uniquely-skilled big. It seemed as if it was a perfect match, and that the two sides were destined to stay together.
According to The Charlotte Observer, McRoberts expected to stay in Charlotte, too.
"McRoberts said Wednesday that he both “wanted” and “intended” to be back in Charlotte when he opted out of the last season on his contract to become an unrestricted free agent.Then what happened? According to McRoberts, the Heat recruited him more aggressively when free-agency began July 1. Jordan personally made a pitch to McRoberts to stay, but that was deep into the process of him signing with the Heat.However, two knowledgeable sources say the Hornets didn’t make him a mid-level offer until the Heat did. Asked if he felt wanted by the Hornets, McRoberts said he felt that from some – Clifford certainly – but not universally."
From the sound of it, it seems like the Hornets dropped the ball on bringing back McRoberts. Maybe they waited too late to offer him a deal while they were busy pursuing other options (such as Lance Stephenson) or simply expected McRoberts would be an easy re-sign. The Heat certainly had their eyes on McRoberts, though, offering him a long-term deal even before getting the word from LeBron or re-signing Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh.
McRoberts, still recovering from offseason toe surgery, has yet to start a game for Miami. According to reports, the team will be taking a slow approach on easing him back into a full-time starting role.
This post also appears on FanSided.com.