{"id":2060393,"date":"2026-07-24T20:20:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060393"},"modified":"2026-07-24T20:20:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:20:04","slug":"heat-miss-on-lebron-james-return-but-wont-downplay-a-victorious-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060393","title":{"rendered":"Heat miss on LeBron James\u2019 return but won\u2019t downplay a victorious offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Miami Heat president Pat Riley has never been afraid of thinking big and making bold moves.<\/p>\n

So it was no surprise that at last week\u2019s introductory news conference for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and longtime target for the Heat, Riley found himself talking about trying to add another multiple-time MVP.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI got a call about (the trade) after a month of discussion,\u201d Riley said of the phone call with Heat general manager Andy Elisburg after landing Antetokounmpo. \u201cThe call came late, and he said to me, \u2018We have a deal.\u2019 He closed the deal, and we both sort of screamed out loud. Yeah, we landed the plane. There\u2019s another one we have to land.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Friday, however, LeBron James decided against taking his talents to South Beach for a second time, instead opting to join the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th NBA season<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not landing James should not take away from what has been an incredibly strong offseason by Miami. The Heat gave up a lot of pieces to get Antetokounmpo out of Milwaukee, but they did so while keeping Bam Adebayo, the best player on their roster to start the offseason, out of the conversations.<\/p>\n

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LeBron says no to Heat reunion. What’s next for Miami?<\/div>\n
Eric Nehm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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