Could LeBron James ever return to the Miami Heat?

Is it possible that LeBron James ever returns to the Miami Heat?

As the NBA enters the home stretch of the season, a storyline that’ll persist until the beginning of free agency in July is just where, if anywhere, LeBron James will land.

The tension surrounding his Cleveland Cavaliers has been well-documented, from the Isaiah Thomas drama that fueled a deadline day firesale, to James’ deteriorating relationship with owner Dan Gilbert.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic detailed the mistrust in Cleveland, referencing the Kyrie Irving trade to Boston, as well as the controversy over signing longtime friend Dwyane Wade.

"James and Gilbert have no relationship. Neither do James and Altman, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. Whereas Griffin would consult with James and keep him informed of major roster decisions, that is no longer happening. James doesn’t trust this front office, and there is no communication now between management and star player. It perhaps played a role in James yelling and cursing at multiple front office executives during the now-famous team meeting a couple of weeks ago that began with players questioning Kevin Love’s absence from a recent practice."

All of this sets the stage for yet another league-altering decision from James.

For much of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers seemed to be the favorite to land him (James owns a home in Los Angeles) but the team seems to be pivoting to the 2019 free agency class. Emerging powers like Houston and Philadelphia will surely garner consideration and yes, even Golden State may look to snag another arch rival.

So where, if anywhere, does a reunion with the Miami Heat come into play?

There is certainly a chance James considers returning to the city where he experienced his greatest success, and there are a number of factors at play that could paint Miami in a better light than when James departed following the 2014 Finals loss to San Antonio.

On Miami’s front, not much has been said about the potential recruitment of James aside from Wade, who explained to ESPN’s Jorge Sedano that he will not have a role in luring James to Miami.

"“One thing I know is he makes his own decisions,” Wade said. “It’s his decision and I don’t want nothing to do with it at all.”"

This is an understandable choice.

Both Wade and James are in much different situations than they were in 2011, with the latter holding the ability to shift the power of the league with a single decision. James doesn’t need to be recruited, he is the one who will choose where he plays.

So what can Miami offer James at this stage in his career?

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In 2011, it was the blueprint to turn one of the greatest talents this league has ever seen, into a champion. They won twice and James’ game developed to levels not previously realized. Now, the Heat find themselves on the fringe of the playoff race with a future reliant upon the development of Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo. Contractually, they’ve hitched their wagon to career journeymen like James Johnson and Dion Waiters, which also throws a wrench into any plans for bringing the three-time champion back into the fold.

But as always, the Heat will be able to offer James something that only Los Angeles can—a premiere free agent destination. And uniquely, the vision to build a team that will topple Golden State’s empire and contend for many years to come, as James enters the twilight of his career.

The Heat brass–Pat Riley, Andy Ellisburg and the Arison family–has already done that for James once and they can certainly do it again.

This time, James may be leaning towards teaming up with a younger, more promising core with the goal to contend for multiple years, as opposed to a one year burst like his current tenure in Cleveland. That is a reason why Philadelphia could be a legitimate player and why the development of Winslow, Richardson and Adebayo is all the more important if he were to entertain a return to Miami.

Standing in the way of Miami’s pursuit of James is the current landscape of the league.

Along with a young core, James will command another player near his caliber and those options appear to be far more limited than they were eight years ago. Paul George may be available, as could his current teammate Carmelo Anthony. And DeMarcus Cousins’ future in New Orleans seems to be unclear.

Then, there is the current status of James’ relationship with Riley. While the two may not have had the opportunity to meet just yet, Riley and Wade repaired their disconnect enough for the Heat’s franchise player to return. And Chris Bosh recently reunited with his old boss at the funeral for agent Henry Thomas.

Logic also tells us if James can find it in his heart to forgive Gilbert, then he can certainly do the same for Riley.

James’ vision for his future is unknown as of now. But if he emphasizes his legacy, will the best move reveal itself as spending the last run of his prime with the type of organizational stability and vision that brought him his first two championships?

Next: Miami Heat's Justise Winslow has found his basketball Nirvana

Time will tell.