We might as well discuss the queen mother of them all if we’re going to talk about trade proposals involving the Miami Heat. And from co-host and seasoned NBA writer Howard Beck of The Ringer, comes a bombshell that could melt even the hardest-core Heat supporters who want to maintain the current roster. It would resurrect… LeBron James, please, drum roll.
Yes, Simmons suggested in his most recent podcast a way to help the Lakers break free from their current slump while simultaneously giving the Heat the extra star they want. Additionally, it would entail the return of James, the player who from 2011 to 2014 led the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning two of them before departing to rejoin the Cavaliers.
How much would it cost to return James to South Beach and leave the Lakers? Maybe not as much as you might assume, though. By the time Simmons and Beck had finished talking, they both agreed that the deal—which Simmons referred to as a “Holy [expletive]!” Miami Heat trade idea—was realistic.
“Even though Robinson gets an extra year and the Lakers get a pick back, it’s a bit of a salary dump for the team. Kinda did LeBron’s part right,” Simmons remarked. “And ten years later, there’s the symmetry of LeBron returning to Miami.” That is somewhat enjoyable. Shake off the old Miami No. 6 jerseys of LeBron James.
If only they could hold onto (Jaime) Jaquez, Caleb Martin, Jimmy Butler, Bam (Adebayo), Tyler Herro, and LeBron on top of all that. That might become the East’s favorite.
Beck chimed in, saying that for the deal to be realistic, a valuable young player would have to return to the Lakers.
If you’re a Lakers fan, that roster has to include at least one player you’re genuinely excited about. Someone decent and youthful. Herro has to be in there, in my opinion,” Beck remarked.
So, let’s give the revised version a try.
The foundation of this proposal is two problems. The first question would be if the Lakers would really think about trading James. His time in L.A. seems to have come to a standstill, and he is 39 years old. The Lakers wouldn’t deal with him on their own initiative, but if he went to the front desk and asked for a change, then a deal might be made.
The heat is the other problem. This team is always looking for an upgrade, as has been said many times, but they are also happy with their current roster. Since new CBA regulations go into effect the following year, it also does not want to spend much more money in the future. Any proposals that emerge need to be considered from this perspective.
However, if this is an opportunity to reclaim LeBron James? Put those worries aside; the Miami Heat would seal the deal. even if Tyler Herro has to pay for it.
If the Heat were to start James, Butler, and Adebayo up front, with Jaquez coming off the bench and role players Vincent and Robinson in the backcourt, they would be a formidable team, at least when playing the East-leading Celtics and Bucks.
