Heat legend says Pat Riley won't let LeBron James return to Miami

LeBron James has until June 29 to exercise his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst expects James to opt out and become a free agent for the first time since 2018.

James opting out doesn't necessarily mean he'll test free agency. Windhorst and others have maintained that the most likely outcome would be James re-signing with the Lakers on a two- or three-year deal. 

If he does test the market, James could potentially consider returning to Miami, a franchise he won two championships with. Oddsmakers at FanDuel are giving James +1100 odds to return to the Heat, behind only the Cavaliers (+1100), Knicks (+900) and Lakers (+150). 

However, heat legend Tim Hardway Sr. doesn't foresee James ever wearing a Heat uniform again. On Wednesday's episode of "The Carton Show," Hardaway explained why Heat president Pat Riley wouldn't let James back in the city.

"That's not going to happen," Hardaway said. "After what happened back then, Pat Riley is not going to him." 

When asked to elaborate on the supposed fallout between James and Riley, Hardaway responded, "We're gonna keep that in-house. It's been us Miami Heat people."