The Miami Heat Would Have To Consider It But It’s Really All Up To LeBron
Even though LeBron is 38 years old, the Miami Heat would have to give up a lot to reacquire him via trade. Giving up valuable draft picks might risk their future following the retirement of LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.
Benefits For The Heat
Still, the Miami Heat are not a team to rebuild through the draft. They reload.
And LeBron James might just be the best possible way they could reload. In his 20th season in the NBA, James is averaging over 28 points per game.
This scoring production might be exactly what the Heat currently need to put them over the edge. Miami is a great team defensively, but they are currently last in the league in points per game.
LeBron’s scoring wouldn’t be the only thing he could provide. He is a proven leader and one of the best passers in league history.
The Heat have plenty of shooters they could surround him with. Players like Max Strus and Duncan Robinson would have opportunities generated for them that were not there before.
James would truly maximize the offensive potential of this Heat team.
One of Miami’s biggest issues this season has been holding on to big leads late in games.
James is one of the best players at controlling the pace of the game and would be able to conduct the offense in a way where this is less of an issue. Plus, pairing him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would create one of the most formidable trios in the NBA.
LeBron James could save what has, otherwise, been a mediocre season for the Heat plagued with injuries. He could also give them a great chance to win next season.
This trade scenario draws a lot of parallels to the Shaquille O’Neal trade. He was an aging superstar frustrated with the Lakers organization.
Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat. Within a few years, he won an NBA championship.
If the Heat can find a way to trade for LeBron, it is likely they will win another championship from a talent perspective. This may just be wishful thinking and it is far more likely that LeBron finishes out his contract in Los Angeles.
But if, by any chance, James requests a trade, Miami would certainly welcome back The King with open arms. Well, at least, they should.