LeBron James Rumors: Percentage of Heat Reunion Increased 'A Little Bit'
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James will be the NBA's most coveted free agent if he utilizes a player option in his contract to hit the open market, and a return to the Miami Heat could be possible.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported Saturday he's raised the odds of a James-Heat reunion "a little bit" based on conversations held following the Cavs' 108-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals, which clinched the Dubs' second consecutive championship.
James didn't shed much light on his mindset heading into the offseason after the Cavs were swept.
"The one thing that I've always done is considered, obviously, my family," he told reporters. "Understanding especially where my boys are at this point in their age. They were a lot younger the last time I made a decision like this four years ago. I've got a teenage boy, a preteen and a little girl that wasn't around as well.
"So sitting down and considering everything, my family is a huge part of whatever I'll decide to do in my career, and it will continue to be that. So I don't have an answer for you right now as far as that."
Before Friday's loss, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported "pleading from family members appears to be the only force that could persuade him to extend his second stint with the Cavs."
Along with Cleveland and Miami, the Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are the teams expected to compete in the James sweepstakes, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
It's all speculation at this point, however, and the four-time MVP cautioned against believing any rumors while the process plays out.
"If it's not from me, it's not true," he said in February.
The Heat don't have the star power of the Warriors and Rockets or the bright future of the Celtics and Sixers, but it's an organization he knows well (he played there for four seasons and won two titles). The key question would probably be whether the front office can create the necessary cap space for James to bring another high-profile free agent with him.
