If the Los Angeles Lakers fumble LeBron James away this offseason, there's at least a chance he could consider signing with the Miami Heat for the mid-level exception.
At least, that's what NBA insider Brian Windhorst is hearing or believes. On the Hoop Collective podcast, Windy said that IF LeBron decides to play for the mid-level exception (or even for the veteran's minimum) this season, the Heat are a team to watch, in addition to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
That proves that a LeBron reunion with the Heat, one that fans may or may not want, is still not completely off the table.
Of course, theoretically speaking, if the Heat were to have a shot at LeBron, especially compared to the Warriors or Cavs, there are seemingly many other shoes that would need to drop first.
How a LeBron reunion becomes plausible for the Heat
For one, I don't see a pathway for LeBron signing with the Heat if it wasn't preceded by a superstar acquisition. Whether it be a Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard, there's really no reason for LeBron to sign with the Heat if that didn't happen first.
LeBron signing with the Heat would be to give it one more shot at a title. The Heat's roster isn't at a point where they could compete, even with LeBron, without a superstar move first. If Giannis or Kawhi is acquired early on in the offseason, perhaps the possibility of a LeBron move becomes more likely.
Without that happening first, it's hard to even envision LeBron considering such a pivot at this point in his career.
Additionally, the Heat would have to give LeBron much more of a shot at a title than the Warriors or Cavs. That's not a given, even if the Heat were to trade for Giannis or Kawhi.
That means either the Cavs completely self-destruct this offseason or the Warriors begin to tear it down, too. Objectively, the lure of staying on the West Coast (with the Warriors) or a final homecoming chapter (with the Cavs) would likely be an infinitely more attractive move for LeBron than a second stint with the Heat.
LeBron signing with the Heat isn't likely
There's no question that LeBron playing with the Heat again would be a good story. In fact, it'd probably be one of the bigger stories of the summer, especially if he were doing so on a revamped Heat squad.
However, it's difficult to see that happening. There may be a couple of ways in which LeBron could have a storybook ending to his career in the NBA, but I'm not sold on any of them intersecting with the Heat.
And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The Heat had their chapter in LeBron's book. And it was an amazing one. It may have ended slightly prematurely, but it's unique and, probably, second-to-none.
Because of that, it's hard to envision LeBron reuniting with the Heat. While it's not completely off the table, it's also probably not as likely as some of the other potential scenarios this summer for King James.
Add us as a preferred source on Google