LeBron James back in Miami? What that fit would look like
How LeBron James fits on the court for the Miami Heat... in 2026
James rumors are swirling again, 12 years after he leftBrady Hawk|
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Miami HeatIt would seem easy to picture LeBron James hooping in a Miami Heat jersey.
All you would have to do is search up some YouTube highlights from over a decade ago to see a guy playing at a level we probably have never seen in NBA history.
But when projecting forward on what LeBron James would look like in Miami in his current state, it's definitely not just sliding back into a past role.
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/zzVk6xUVF1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
James' time with the Lakers has come to an end, following today's report from Shams Charania. A situation with the Golden State Warriors feels obvious to pair with Steph Curry for one final run, as well as a return to Cleveland Cavaliers.
None of these circumstances are simple when it comes to mid-level exceptions or sign and trades, such as Jarrett Allen.
But the Miami Heat are on that list too, as they have an intriguing destination beyond the off the court Miami lifestyle. With Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami alongside Bam Adebayo, in a much less stressful conference, why not go make one final championship with a team you've already done it with?
REPORT: LeBron James has been linked to the Miami Heat after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, per @JakeLFischer
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) June 30, 2026
“He’s been connected to Miami, a potential homecoming there once Giannis was traded to South Beach. There’s plenty talk around the league that they could see that… pic.twitter.com/7TfcBFq5p7
But I'm not here to sell you on it happening. What I am here to sell you on is that we shouldn't question if the fit is right.
It's been all about shooting for Miami for obvious reasons. Antetokounmpo rosters need shooting just like LeBron James rosters needed shooting.
But if you can lock up a player of this caliber, whether closing out his career or not, you go for it.
The Heat still could use some added on-ball play-making and creation, and James still provides that at this stage. If I'm bring honest, he would probably be playing point guard in many lineups, even though they wouldn't want to overuse him in the regular season.
The Miami Heat would Welcome a LeBron return, as James and the Miami Heat now have a strong relationship, per @Anthony_Chiang
“The relationship between James and the Heat were initially frosty after their breakup, but is now strong. The team would welcome a return by James, a… https://t.co/SHw78hC8cm pic.twitter.com/tpZCImXKoZ— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) June 30, 2026
Two of the greatest and physical downhill threats in the game on the same roster? Sign me up.
Yes you need shooting to compete, but there's also only so much you can do as a defense if Giannis Antetokounmpo drives into the paint, three defenders collapse, he kicks to LeBron James, and there's an absolute runway for a catch and go attack.
Elite secondary attackers are the name of the game. And this would be that.
James shot 32% from three this past season and 38% the year prior with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he would be getting some very different looks when it comes to catch and shoot threes.
The way the Heat scrape out some veteran minimum shooters will allow this to make more sense very soon, but let's not overthink this.
A new, different Big 3
LeBron James. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bam Adebayo. I'll take my chances with a Heat organization to find enough outside shooting along the way. That's an Erik Spoelstra cast of characters that'll put an insane amount of pressure on defenses, regular season or playoffs.
Yes, Golden State and Cleveland make sense for different reasons. But Miami makes sense too.
And that primary reason is a legitmate chance to contend for his fifth NBA Championship.
If anybody is worried about this potential fit, my word of advice is this: don't.
Published 20 minutes ago
BRADY HAWKBrady is a co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast and has done writing for the Five Reasons Sports Network. He has been a season credential holder for the Miami Heat since 2022. TWITTER: @BradyHawk305
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
