NBA

No way around it: LeBron likely to go back to Heat

There will be the dreamers. There will be the wishful thinkers.

But at the end of the latest foray into free agency for LeBron James, there more than likely will be the Miami Heat.

“I just don’t see him going anywhere else,” said one opposing Eastern Conference executive Tuesday, the day James officially notified the Heat he is opting out of the final two years of his contract to become a free agent July 1. “This provides long-term security for him, if nothing else. And I don’t see how some teams can create the cap space.”

After James’ agent, Rich Paul, notified the Heat of the superstar’s intentions, Miami president Pat Riley released a statement acknowledging the player’s plans. James opted out of the last two years, worth $20.6 million and $22.1 million, respectively, of the contract he signed in 2010.

“I was informed this morning of his intentions. We fully expected LeBron to opt-out and exercise his free agent rights, so this does not come as a surprise,” Riley said. “As I said at the press conference last week, players have a right to free agency and when they have these opportunities, the right to explore their options.

“The last four seasons have been historic and LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Erik Spoelstra have led the Miami Heat to one of the most unprecedented runs in the history of the NBA. We look forward to sitting down with LeBron and his representatives and talking about our future together. At the moment, we are preparing for the opportunities in the Draft and Free Agency as we continue with our goal of winning NBA Championships.”

James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces in Miami in 2010 to form the backbone of four consecutive Finals teams, including championships in 2012 and 2013 before the franchise’s dream of a three-peat was thwarted by the deeper, more athletic and, yes, better Spurs. That Finals defeat stung James, and according to league sources and numerous reports, he wants a revamped roster.

Riley last week said the Heat must “retool” not “rebuild.”

Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that James will meet with Wade and Bosh for a state-of-the-team summit several days before the free agency period officially begins. The stars are expected to discuss all scenarios, including Wade and Bosh also opting out of their deals to conceivably re-sign for less money, thereby proving the Heat with flexibility to upgrade the aging roster.

One scenario being considered, Yahoo reported, was James possibly joining the Clippers with pal Chris Paul and president/coach Doc Rivers. However, the report quickly noted Miami remains the favorite to retain James.

That appears to be the consensus. James, who again proclaimed, “I just want to win, that’s all that matters to me” last week following the Finals exit, wants to see what the Heat have for a plan going forward.

James, Wade and Bosh all could take significant pay cuts to provide Miami the room to sign a $13-14 million player. But, as the Finals so powerfully revealed, team chemistry trumps team payrolls. If the three all opted in, the Heat would have been severely hamstrung in their ability to make moves.

The Rockets are rumored to be one team with designs on creating space, but that could be easier said than done — they would have to find teams with the room to add Jeremy Lin and/or Omer Asik. The Lakers are another team rumored to be a possible landing spot, but their roster is more dented and dinged than Miami’s.

“That is one I just can’t see happening,” the Eastern exec said.

Chicago would need to do a lot of maneuvering, perhaps too much. Cleveland always enters into the LeBron equation. It’s home. There’s Kyrie Irving. But the Cavs did not do much with some high picks in recent years, and Joel Embiid’s foot injury certainly diminishes the appeal of Cleveland’s No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft.