Before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, there were rumors that the Lakers would close their title window by trading two noteworthy contributors.
The Lakers were playing inconsistent basketball and appeared headed toward rebuild mode. However, the franchise elected to acquire Luka Doncic from the Mavericks on Feb. 2 and keep hope alive in Los Angeles.
However, in a surprising offseason move, the franchise could part with its father-son duo via a blockbuster trade to the Miami Heat.
“James opted into his $52.6 million dollar player option for the upcoming season according to ESPN's Shams Charania, but some of the quotes that came from Charania's story left the impression that a trade could be possible for James and the Lakers,” Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell wrote Sunday.
“If James were to want out, the Miami Heat should be aggressive in getting him back. With the current roster they have, it seems unlikely that they are going to make a big run in the Eastern Conference and need more. The Heat were rumored to be in the mix for trading for Kevin Durant, but seemed unwilling to part with key pieces to their roster. “
“James might not be the player he was when he was winning titles with the Heat, but he is still one of the best players in the NBA. Would the Heat try and bring James back to South Beach?”
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Caudell’s three-team trade proposal sends Duncan Robinson to the Atlanta Hawks, Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, an unprotected 2026 first-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Lakers, and the James clan to the Heat.
Miami wasn’t James’ first NBA home, but there’s no question that his four-year tenure with the Heat helped him bolster his Hall of Fame resume.
After opting out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James signed a six-year deal with the Heat during the 2010 free agency period.
James and the Heat suffered a devastating loss to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2011 NBA Finals, but bounced back by winning two titles in the next three seasons.
The 40-year-old stud also won two MVPs, earned four All-Star nods, and secured two NBA Finals MVPs with the Heat in his prime.
With Miami trading Jimmy Butler, the heart and soul of its franchise, to the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 5, it would be challenging for James to win a ring with an organization moving backward.
That said, there’s still a slim possibility that, for nostalgia reasons, James could return to South Beach for another stint with the Heat.
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