Why Miami is the perfect final act for LeBron James
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LeBron James won his first first championship with Miami. He could win his last here, too. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Sixteen years after "The Decision" brought LeBron James to Miami, the world is again waiting to learn where he'll take his talents next.
State of play: The 41-year-old NBA legend has been linked to a handful of teams as possible destinations, including Golden State, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Miami.
Why it matters: Miami — which recently traded for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to pair with Heat captain Bam Adebayo — could have championship potential if James were to join the team.
- Here's what South Florida has to offer King James:
⛳️ Year-round golf: James has become an avid golfer, and Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the U.S., per the National Golf Foundation.
🍷 Local wine selections: The King is also a wine connoisseur, like his former Heat teammate, Dwyane Wade.
- A LeBron-Lagniappe collaboration just rolls off the tongue. South Florida's big wine scene also includes spots like Sidewalk Bottle Shop in Fort Lauderdale.
💪 Pilates: James and his wife, Savannah, can try out all of the different Pilates studios South Florida has to offer.
- They can do Jetset, Tremble or Reforming Pilates. The options are endless.
🚲 Burgeoning bike scene: Remember when James rode his bicycle to a Heat game in 2012?
- The King would love Critical Mass city rides and his support could help improve biking infrastructure.
👀 Statue: James deserves a statue outside Kaseya Center.
- After Wade's statue got so much hate, whatever James comes up with might be better received.
👌 Roster space: The Heat have roster spots for both of James' sons, Bronny and Bryce (whenever Bryce decides to make the leap to the NBA).
🐐 Twin GOATs: Miami could be home to two of the greatest athletes of all time. James is used to being the superstar, but he can be the moon to Lionel Messi's sun.
- In 2023, James traveled to Fort Lauderdale to watch Messi make his debut for Inter Miami.
😎 Miami is the perfect place to smile "through it all" when you can't believe this is your life, as James did in a 2018 poolside photo that quickly became a viral reaction meme.
- Axios cannot confirm this photo was taken here, but we volunteer to help recreate it.
🏈 Taste of home: When James wants to watch his hometown Cleveland Browns, he can head to Browns bar Mickey Byrne's in Hollywood.