LeBron James may have just tipped his hand in what could be The Decision 2.0.
The Miami Heat star just opted out of his contract with the team, making him a free agent for the first time since the summer of 2010 when he so famously left the Cleveland Cavaliers and picked the Heat in a televised special.
While he’s expected to get interest from a handful of teams including the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, James just hinted that he might be right back in Miami next season.
On Thursday the team drafted Shabazz Napier, the UConn point guard that LeBron wanted very badly on the Heat. It seemed to be a move from Miami to appease James and give him a much-needed complementary player.
After the pick, LeBron couldn’t hide his excitement.
My favorite player in the draft! #Napier
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 27, 2014
LeBron James has been open about his desire to see Napier join the Heat.
I’m going Napier high screen and roll again — LeBron James (@KingJames) March 30, 2014
The pick would make sense for the Heat. Point guard Mario Chalmers was largely ineffective in the NBA Finals, and an overall lack of depth placed quite a heavy load on James. Though he still scored plenty of points in the finals, LeBron also appeared to lose a step as the fatigue of too many minutes caught up with him.
Many believe that LeBron James opted for free agency not in a bid to get more money, but to give the Heat some space to sign badly needed role players. NBC Sports noted that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could follow suit:
“Expect them all to opt out and re-sign in Miami. For example, if LeBron and Bosh take $17-$18 million a year and Pat Riley can convince the aging Wade that he will get more money long term if he signs for four years, $48 million (he gets $7 million more guaranteed) then Riley would be roughly $9 million under the cap (counting place holders) and he could chase a couple quality free agents plus have his mid-level exception to spend. The Heat could bring in talent that would help.”
LeBron James could still surprise in free agency, and a lot can happen between now and the start of free agency on July 1, but all signs point to a return to South Beach.
