Heat One of Two Teams That Fit Criteria to Get Deal Done for LeBron James

Heat One of Two Teams That Fit Criteria to Get Deal Done for LeBron James originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

As the NBA offseason heats up, a potential blockbuster trade involving LeBron James is making waves, with the Miami Heat emerging as a prime contender to land the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

On a recent episode of The Zach Lowe Show, Los Angeles Times' Dan Woike highlighted how the Lakers are unwilling to absorb any contracts extending beyond the 2025-26 season in a potential James trade.

This stipulation narrows the field significantly, leaving only two teams—the Heat and the Clippers—with the financial flexibility to send out $50 million or more in expiring deals.

LeBron’s history with the Heat, where he won two championships alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, adds an intriguing layer to this scenario.

The Heat’s current roster, anchored by Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, boasts a competitive core that could complement James’ veteran leadership and skill set.

With expiring contracts potentially available, the Heat could craft a deal that satisfies the Lakers’ demands while keeping their relatively young core intact.

The Clippers, the other team in the mix, offer a different dynamic with their own expiring contracts and a desire to bolster their championship aspirations.

However, the Heat’s past success with James and their aggressive front-office approach under Pat Riley make them a standout candidate.

Fans are buzzing, with some speculating a reunion could push the Heat toward another title run, while others debate James’ willingness to waive his no-trade clause.

As the offseason progresses, all eyes are on whether the Heat can seize this opportunity to bring LeBron back to South Beach, potentially reshaping the NBA landscape once again.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.