LeBron James free agency continues: Does Miami Heat still make sense?

LeBron James‘ future remains one of the biggest unanswered questions of the NBA offseason, and the Miami Heat are once again part of the conversation.

For a Heat team that has already reshaped its roster this summer by landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the possibility of a Miami reunion with James suddenly feels worth watching.

Here’s what we know about LeBron James and if the Miami Heat are a real possible destination:

Paul has put together a whiteboard list of potential franchises James could join, with reasons/rosters listed. On it, he has the Heat, 76ers, and Cavaliers on the inner circle suggesting that these could be top picks for James. This list was announced on the “Game Over” podcast.

Under the Heat section, Paul had the names (Davion) Mitchell, (Andrew) Wiggins, Bam (Adebayo) and Giannis, the four top players on Miami’s roster. Among the other perks listed for South Florida was “golf.”

The biggest reason Miami has become such an interesting possibility is the franchise’s stunning offseason move for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat landed the two-time NBA MVP in a blockbuster deal for a boatload of players and draft assets that immediately gave the franchise the kind of superstar centerpiece that would impact in any James conversation.

Giannis is expected to wear No. 7 in Miami, marking a fresh start after spending his entire Bucks career in No. 34.

Miami sent off Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel’el Ware and draft considerations in the giant Antetokounmpo trade. The Heat hasn’t just made one major move this summer though. They have re-signed Wiggins for a reported three years and $64 million. They also signed former Miami Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson, brought back Simone Fontecchio, and signed Tim Hardaway Jr., the son of the legendary Heat guard, to contracts at the beginning of July.

The four-year span James spent with the Heat was one of the most dominant in NBA history. During that time, many franchise-defining moments were made.

• Scored 40-plus points in 10 playoff games and 50-plus points in two, including a 60-point game in the 2013 playoffs.

• Led the Heat to two NBA championships: 2012, 2013

• NBA MVP in 2012 and 2013

• Points: Fifth all-time in franchise history (7,919)

• Rebounds: 12th all-time (2,225)

• Assists: Sixth all-time (1,980)

• Steals: 10th all-time (489)

• Blocks: 16th all-time (193)

• 3-pointers made: 15th all-time (365)

• Field goals made: 5th all-time (2,911)

• Free throws made: 6th all-time (1,732)

• Four straight Eastern Conference championship: 2011–14

• Contributed to the 27-game winning streak in the 2012–13 season, the second-longest in NBA history.

Scored 40-plus points in 10 playoff games and 50-plus points in two, including a 60-point game in the 2013 playoffs.

Led the Heat to two NBA championships: 2012, 2013

Points: Fifth all-time in franchise history (7,919)

3-pointers made: 15th all-time (365)

Field goals made: 5th all-time (2,911)

Free throws made: 6th all-time (1,732)

Four straight Eastern Conference championship: 2011–14

Contributed to the 27-game winning streak in the 2012–13 season, the second-longest in NBA history.

There is no one and nothing pushing James into a decision, except maybe the other teams who are trying to make room for him on the roster and under the salary cap. He has moved at his own pace throughout this stage of his career, and there is little reason to believe that will change now. It is also not believed that James is interested in being the highest-paid player on any team, which may eliminate some salary cap concerns.