The bond between the Miami Heat and LeBron James will never remain a broken one

Some NBA players say LeBron James should return to Miami Heat if he leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers.

An ESPN poll asked the question “Where should LeBron sign in the offseason?”

1. Cavaliers: 66 percent
2. Heat: 8 percent
3. Lakers: 8 percent
4. Other: 18 percent

A related question, “Which team have you heard makes the best free-agent pitches?” had the Heat in second place at 15%, behind the Boston Celtics 27%.

One NBA guard said the cost to land James would amount to a king’s ransom.

“If LeBron were to leave, it would have to be for way more money -- like if a team could figure out a way to give him a $300 million contract.”

A sister article writes the Tyler Johnson contract, not even factoring in its 15% trade kicker, makes a deal for a reunion with the Heat difficult.

“The other option would be to trade players like Hassan Whiteside, Dion Waiters and Tyler Johnson to teams with cap space to free up space to sign James, but that would be significantly more difficult especially with Johnson’s contract escalating from $5.8 million to $19.2 million in 2018-19.”

Since James departed, the Heat’s cumulative record is 156 wins and 148 loses: a totally mediocre one. The future doesn’t appear more promising unless players focus on basketball instead of their own pleasures.

NBA players enjoyed the excitement James brought to Miami. Who or what can bring the sizzle to South Beach now that Dwyane Wade has returned?