LeBron James didn't unveil his free agency decision while at Fanatics Fest, but the NBA's all-time leading scorer may have given fans a clue as to what's next.
James, a four-time NBA champion and 22-time All-Star, has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers since the start of free agency. ESPN insider Shams Charania mentioned Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia as the top landing spots for the 41-year-old superstar.
While it's possible James returns to the Cavaliers for a farewell tour, NBA fans shouldn't rule out another stint with the Heat - especially after what he said this Friday.
"Listen, my main focus while I’m playing the game of basketball, is to keep the main thing the main thing," James said. "I always have done that… keeping the main thing the main thing has always been the main focus for me. That’s the reason everything has worked the way it’s worked."
If that quote sounds familiar, it's because James mentioned it back in 2020 when discussing his relationship with Heat president Pat Riley.
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
After hearing that remark from James, fans are convinced he's heading back to Miami.
"Keep the main thing as the main thing," James said. "That's what I learned from the great Pat Riley."
"HE LOVES PAT RILEY. The heat culture is in his dna," one fan wrote. "He's coming home."
"Quoting Pat I see," a second fan said. "He better pick Miami."
"He literally speaks from the Miami Heat handbook," a Heat fan commented. "It’s time man."
Is a return to Miami possible?
Earlier this week, Riley made it known that he's been in contact with James about a potential reunion.
"I don't know, I'll be honest with you," Riley told ESPN. "Obviously, we've had conversations with Rich [Paul] and they were very good. So if that happens and he wants to come to the '305,' we got a golf course. The weather's nice. Steve Kerr, same thing down here. And there's no state tax. So that's a little better than California."
James won two titles with Miami from 2010-2014, averaging 26.9 points and 6.7 assists per game. Though he's no longer the same player, he'd still give the Heat a massive boost in the frontcourt with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
