It has been 11 years since Lebron James left the Miami Heat but an NBA executive said Pat Riley still holds grudges against the Los Angeles Lakers star, reason why he won’t give a green light on a trade proposal that could make Purple and Gold better.
James joined the Heat in 2010 in a controversial move that formed their Big 3 together with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh who transferred in the same year as Lebron. Together they won two titles and went to the NBA finals four straight years.
King James then returned to his hometown and first ever NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers and went to the NBA finals four straight times again, winning just one title in 2016 against the Golden State Warriors.
Lots of things happened but Riley’s feelings about Lebron leaving remains the same. This is the main reason why Andrew Wiggins might not suit up at all for the Lakers.
“I would be stunned if Pat did this trade,” the NBA executive said as quoted by Lakers Daily.
“You really think Pat wants to help LeBron [James]? He’s still mad about LeBron leaving Miami. I don’t see it happening.”
Lakers are hoping to have Wiggins as replacement for Dorian Finney-Smith who is now with the Houston Rockets. Wiggins joined the Heat mid-season last season from the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 19 points, four rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 19 games.
Pat Riley’s old statement about Lebron James
The executive’s words might not just be a simple provocation or fake news. Riley, who he himself is a legend for the Lakers, had some words back in 2019 about Lebron joining them, suggesting his team help him mature.
“LeBron is a great player, but before he came to us, he was banging his head against the wall like all great players that can’t win,” he said via ESPN in an article about how NBA greats rise above pressure.
“His first year [in Miami] was somewhat convoluted, from the standpoint of chemistry. As much as those guys talked around it, you had three significant players who never really got on the same page. They never let it fester, but they never spoke about it way they should have.”
Lakers will probably get nothing from the Heat. Still, their world won’t stop just because they can’t get Wiggins. Reports have it that they also target Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans who has been a trade partner for them since late 2010s.
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