The NBA landscape shifted overnight with the blockbuster trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat.

Milwaukee now begins its rebuild, while Miami will continue to shape its roster around a new superstar duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Heat have always been a desirable destination for star players, but now that they’ve landed Giannis, the basketball world should be paying even closer attention to their next move.

One of those could potentially involve the return of arguably the greatest player of all time, LeBron James.

It may not be likely, but according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, it also can’t be completely ruled out now:

“The Heat could try to lure impending free agent LeBron James with its full midlevel exception, but a James return is considered a long shot — though nothing can be ruled out,”

The 41-year-old James is set to become a UFA after completing the second and final year of the two-year, $101.35 million maximum extension he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 60 appearances in his 23rd NBA season.

ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne recently reported that James hasn’t even committed to playing next season in conversations with the Lakers, further clouding his future in Los Angeles.

“L.A. is the first team he can talk to because they’re their own free agent. My understanding is they had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations,”

This, of course, wouldn’t be prime LeBron returning to Miami, but even into his fourties the legend remains extremely productive and could be set up to thrive as a more of a third option behind Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.

Next: Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat