With LeBron James yet to reveal where he will play next season, Heat president Pat Riley and newly acquired superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo both admitted they would welcome the four-time NBA champion back to South Beach if given the opportunity.
Miami has spoken with James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, but like other teams interested in the veteran forward, they are awaiting his decision.
“I don’t know, honestly,” Riley told ESPN about whether James and the Heat will reunite. “Obviously, we’ve talked to Rich and they’ve been very nice. So if that happens and he wants to come to the ‘305,’ we have a golf course. The weather is great. Steve Kerr, same here. And there’s no state tax. So it’s a little better than California.”
Riley’s mention of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr comes after a fan recently caught Kerr joking that Golden State had already signed James when asked if the Warriors should try to sign James.
While Riley left the door open, Antetokounmpo admitted that the idea of teaming up with James excites him.
“If that happens, I’d be very, very excited,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN of potentially joining forces with James. “He’s one of the best players of all time, if not the best player. [I’d] Can learn a lot from him. Obviously, giving the team that championship experience from day one. I think he’s still one of the best players in the league [game today]If not in the top 25 [at 41 years old]. You see no sign of him slowing down at all. You saw how efficient and good he was against the Lakers in the playoffs.
“But I’m like everybody else – we don’t have all the information. All the information is in the hands of LeBron James and his family to make the best decision for him. History shows he’s always made the right decision for his career. I hope if he thinks the Miami Heat is a good decision for him. I’m glad he’s here.”
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