I think he stays in Miami and pushes management for a reload. Wade's $20m (and his legacy as a Miami lifer) makes it hard though. But he should go to San Antonio. Pop, Parker, and Duncan with Lebron (I'm assuming Leonard is the casualty here, but doesn't have to be) would be killer.
Miami. The West is stacked and the East is a cakewalk. Miami is probably one of the nicest cities in the East, and while the Heat lost (and appear to be declining)- theyve won 2 rings together and went to the finals 4 times (where theh lost against a much better Spurs team and a once in a lifetime performance from Dirk). I think he stays in Miami, but opts out and signs for less money, try to bring in some role players.
Miami Had the Heat won, it would be concrete that Lebron stays. The fact that they lost badly, merely creates a crack of doubt, not a chasm. Much rests on what Wade and Bosh do though. If those two opt in at full value, its doubtful Lebron takes less value alone for player improvement. The most doubt in him staying, IMO, is if everyone wants their money and Lebron faces next year with no flexibility for roster improvement. One has to wonder how Wade and Bosh would feel about that scenario as well. However, if all three take a pay cut for roster improvement, you can definitely see him staying.
Lebron should take a year and a bit off, go recharge, let Miami completely rebuild, then sign mid season for the an exception so Miami can load their roster, then sign a real contract, and then we can listen to how no one would have beaten him for 20 years.
LBJ's PER in this year's playoffs was like 31. He was very good except for that one 7point outlier vs the Pacers due to foul trouble. Losing 1-4 in the finals while TS% is like 70% is probably a sign to leave. Only real reason for him to stay is if Wade starts a new contract at 10m a yr, Bosh at 10-12m. Wade is going to rest 30% of the regular season again and maybe average 15 ppg next year? Wade isn't going to get better Let Wade and Bosh make their money, move on and win titles. Bulls, Rockets, but Bulls means having to play his buddies. Rockets are the best choice
Fingers cross it will be Rox. But then, it will be heat. With Wade signing significantly less. Heat bring in Bledso and Stephenson.
Both the Rockets and Clippers can unload salaries and have a chance to form a big three, it's going to be interesting...
He doesn't have to opt out Cleveland has shown they are still just as terrible at building a roster as they were with him around LeBron's not going back to a small market, even if Jordan's there LeBron's 29 with 10 years, 9 extended into the postseason (158 playoff games). He won't waste his remaining prime years rebuilding or signing on to an uncertain situation. He's dealt with the backlash of the original Heat decision - it will take a major opportunity for him to repeat that move. I don't see a real landing spot with appeal anywhere for him. If we could shed Asik/Lin, maybe we'd qualify. But teaming up with Kobe and the wasteland in LA? Nope. Chicago? He knows better to play in Jordan's town. Both NYC teams are way over the cap. Clips and GS would have to get creative. Bad blood with Boston. Philly would be interesting since they could sign him and Carmelo, but too much of a rebuild, no matter how much young talent they'd have. I'd put my money the Big 1 + two weak sisters not opting out.
I'd bet anything he stays in Miami but Wade is only going to get worse and there's no cap space to bring in help. Can LBJ really look at himself in the mirror and believe that he has a better chance of winning another ring with the Heat versus the Rockets? It's interesting...similar to Howard last year logically the Rockets are the best choice if you truely want the best opportunity for a title. Harden/Howard/Parsons/Jones/Bev/Daniels is a better core than any other team can surround him with. Younger, healthier, more talented. Morey's track record of finding cheap impact talent like Parsons could be a major selling point. James has to realize that Houston could be the final stop and legitimately provide a dominating string of titles. Not to mention Morey could sell him on a legacy of winning in the West instead of the East cakewalk he'll have to listen to when he's done playing. James is in his prime and he has to know Wade is about done. Why waste another year or two just for your BFF or to save face from people calling you a merc?
Its funny that nobody has learned from the Spurs and is still talking "Big 3". I just don't think having 3 max contract players is a good strategy for the longhaul because you are stuck with a depleted bench filled with old veterans hoping for a title shot behind the coat tails of the 3 max contract players. The Rockets have a real need on defense, reduced turnovers, and depth. Lebron would help with the defense, but the Rockets depth would be garbage as there would be no cap space to add anyone. Houston isn't the most attractive destination for players so it's not like anyone is going to take minimum to go there. That said, going after Lebron would be a smart move for any team...for the Rockets, they would be better off offering Howard or Harden or both in a trade for Lebron. Then try and fill the rest of the roster with good team players like Kyle Lowry, Luol Deng, Trevor Ariza, etc... and match whatever offer Parsons gets. If the Rockets trade Howard, they can just start Asik in his place and, in my opinion, be better off not paying a max contract to the center position that has been relegated as secondary in the modern nba. The Clippers are actually built like the Spurs with a top PG who has the best assist to turnover ratio in NBA history, probably the best PF, and a whole bunch of depth behind them. But what makes them a good team is that they have probably the most depth of any team in the NBA including the Spurs. With DeAndre, they have the top rebounder in the league, with Crawford, they have the best sixth man, JJ Redick a top three point shooter, and additional solid role players in Big Baby, Jared Dudley, Willie Green, Matt Barnes, and maybe Danny Granger and Darren Collison. Rumors that they will break the bank for Lebron would ruin this depth as well. Dumping Deandre, Dudley, and Crawford to get Lebron would also deplete the depth that the Clippers made such good progress building. I don't think the Clippers should trade Griffin for Lebron, but a CP3 for Lebron trade would be a good move and then turn around and sign a guy like Lowry to fill his spot. That said, Lebron and CP3 are best friends so I doubt CP3 will go anywhere if Lebron forces a trade.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Clippers and Rockets are now being mentioned as serious suitors for LeBron James, writes <a href="https://twitter.com/YannisNBA">@YannisNBA</a>. Details: <a href="http://t.co/KNxGjYmR5W">http://t.co/KNxGjYmR5W</a></p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/statuses/479747910377033728">June 19, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
