Pat Riley Addresses LeBron Relationship After Fueling Heat Rumors in NBA Free Agency

Miami Heat president Pat Riley doesn't believe there's any lingering bad blood between he and LeBron James that would preclude a reunion this summer.

"I've seen him at championship fights. I've seen him around. Run into him at All-Star Games," Riley said Monday on The Dan Le Batard Show. "We had a great embrace when they honored me with a statue out there. … LeBron and I, we haven't talked much, but you let go of that stuff."

Riley said he was "very disappointed when James left in 2014 because the Heat could've kept building on their four straight NBA Finals appearances. But those emotions have subsided over time.

Upon returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, James made vague references to a secret source of motivation in his quest for another title. After the Cavs won the 2016 Finals, LeBron elaborated on that mindset to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

"When I decided to leave Miami — I'm not going to name any names, I can't do that — but there were some people that I trusted and built relationships with in those four years [who] told me I was making the biggest mistake of my career," he said.

McMenamin deduced Riley could be the person in question.

The legendary coach and executive had made an equally cryptic remark that many assumed was directed at LeBron during the 2015 offseason. Riley told reporters that Miami had "no more smiling faces with hidden agendas."

If James can let bygones be bygones with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, he of the infamous comic sans letter, then it stands to reason he can reconcile with Riley.

The Heat are frequently linked as a serious contender for the 22-time All-Star. Riley leaned into the speculation when introducing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. as Heat players.

Based on Riley's remarks to Le Batard, he's in the dark as much as everyone else about what James will ultimately decide.