It was recently reported that LeBron James will meet with Miami Heat president Pat Riley in Las Vegas on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of a return to Miami for LeBron.
LeBron, along with Carmelo Anthony, is the hottest commodity on the free agency market this offseason. LeBron opted out of his contract on June 25th and became an unrestricted free agent a week later.
While other teams, namely the Cleveland Cavaliers, having been making attempts to reel in King James, the Heat organization will do everything in their power to retain the four-time league MVP.
Riley has even went to the lengths of signing two free agents in Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts to the Heat in an attempt to entice LeBron to remain in South Beach. Those recent signings amongst other prospects will more than likely be the topic of discussion in this upcoming meeting between LeBron and Riley.
Riley has been president of the Miami Heat since 1995 and has served as head coach for the franchise on two separate tenures. So needless to say he is no stranger in orchestrating huge offseason and midseason moves for the Heat. Most notably those moves were acquiring Alonzo Mourning during the 1996 offseason and Tim Hardaway midway through the 1996-97 season.
Another noteworthy offseason acquisition was the trade coordinated by Riley prior to the 2004-2005 season while he was general manager of the Heat. That trade brought in Shaquille O’Neal to bring some front court relief to Alonzo Mourning an the Heat as well as provide a solid sidekick for Dwyane Wade. The Heat, however, had to deal Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and a first-round pick to acquire Shaq. The acquisition paid off as Shaq proved to be a solid piece to the franchise’s first championship ring in 2006 and Riley’s first of three rings as president of the Miami Heat.
All things considered, with a track record of impressive personnel moves, Riley should not have a hard time in the persuasion of LeBron to stay with the Miami Heat and pursue another title with other players to build around him.
Photo Credit: NYpost.com, Bleacherreport.com
Follow us on Twitter @hiphopenquirer
