Q: In the depleted East, I feel like adding LeBron James would make the Heat a favorite. Definitely seems like a move Pat Riley would pursue. Do you have any sense about whether or not LeBron would waive his no-trade clause to return to Miami? – Brian.
A: This is a complex one, simply because it is not as if the Heat roster as currently comprised is decidedly stronger than the Lakers roster LeBron James would be leaving, one headlined by Luka Doncic. The Heat simply do not have anyone at that level. But the difference is the injury-depleted, watered-down 2025-26 East vs. the ongoing gauntlet that is the West. At the moment, the Lakers would appear a one-round-and-done playoff team in the West, when considering the likes of the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets and Timberwolves. In the East, LeBron alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro would have a pathway to a potential deeper playoff run. That said, if the cost were to be Andrew Wiggins, a Heat prospect (Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr.) and lesser draft capital, then it should be considered for a 40-year-old player still at All-NBA level. Now, if the cost is unprotected first-round draft capital, then there could be reason to pause. But, yes, the Heat should consider and I think LeBron would consider. But that doesn’t mean Cleveland wouldn’t stand as more attractive, just as it was for LeBron in the 2014 offseason.
Related Articles
Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!
Q: If Erik Spoelstra is playing bad cop to motivate Kel’el Ware, then who plays good cop? – Sanders.
A: One of the benefits of the Heat coaching staff is having so many former players alongside Erik Spoelstra. So I would think Malik Allen, Caron Butler or Chris Quinn could then offer a player’s perspective about how they’ve seen players go through similar situations. Interestingly, for all of his feistiness, I could see Alonzo Mourning being a sounding board and someone to commiserate with. Yes, Zo.
Q: Nikola Jovic and Davion Mitchell (and Kasparas Jakucionis, too, hopefully) are great in transition and we have bigs that can run. – Barry.
A: Which is all well and good, but how many times during training camp has Erik Spoelstra said he was going to get his team on the move, playing in transition, only to see the slog become the norm? Maybe without Jimmy Butler from the start of the season they will recognize the need to play at pace and appreciate that their leading man is no longer one who insists on playing in the halfcourt.
