(Mandatory Credit: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
From 2010-14, LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, donned the Miami Heat red and black, where he played arguably the best basketball of his storied career. He helped Miami win two NBA titles with four Eastern Conference Titles, taking the league by storm before heading back home to Cleveland, Ohio, in the summer of 2014.
There’s been some minor speculation that James could return to Miami — though it remains unlikely. However, one of the anonymous 20 voters in ESPN’s annual offseason poll claims that James will be in Miami at the start of the 2026-27 season.
Five of the panelists said he’d retire, while seven others said he’s return to the Lakers. Other teams who received votes were the Cleveland Cavaliers (for the third time), Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.
One of the 20 anonymous voters (execs, scouts, coaches) in ESPN’s offseason poll predicts the Miami Heat will have LeBron James at the start of 2026-27. pic.twitter.com/2jTiSbIq2R
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) September 23, 2025
Now entering his 23rd season, James, who turns 41-years-old in December, is entering the final year of his contract. His agency, Klutch Sports, sent a fairly cryptic message when he opted into his $52.4 million player option in late June.
When he’s healthy, he still plays at a high level. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game last season, shooting 51.3 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from 3-point range and 78.2 percent from the charity stripe.
There’s a nonzero chance James returns to Miami — but I wouldn’t put it at greater than one or two percent. My guess is that he either retires or stays in Los Angeles. Real bold, I know!
In four seasons with the Heat, he posted 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals across 294 games alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Hypothetically, would you bring in James for one or two more seasons if it were a legitimate option? Let us know in the comments!
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