​SAN ANTONIO, TX – JUNE 16: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on in the fourth quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2013 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 16, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers prior to a Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)The Miami Heat waited patiently for weeks. It only felt right that LeBron James would finish his career in Miami, where he enjoyed four of arguably the most dominant years of his iconic career. James, however, chose the rival Philadelphia 76ers, much to Heat fans’ chagrin, and said no to a reunion. Cleveland got him two times … so why not Miami? James is known for somewhat going against the grain; he’ll do things most people would least expect. While there was plenty of chatter that the Sixers were in the race for James as his free agency process was going on, let’s face it, few outside of Philadelphia were prepared to see a Shams X post with James in Sixers jersey. Miami Heat Legend Dishes on LeBron James’ Free Agency DecisionGettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers prior to a Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
This is one many Heat fans won’t like. Heat Nation is mostly over James’ decision to join the Sixers, thanks to the excitement surrounding Year 1 of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the free-agent signing of Klay Thompson, the fourth-leading 3-point shooter in NBA history. But Heat legend Dwyane Wade re-opened the door to debate, saying James’ choosing Philadelphia was the right move.“From a basketball standpoint, I thought it was a very strategic move at this point in his career,” Wade said of James’ decision (h/t Miami Heat on SI). “It definitely gives him the best chance. … I feel like it gives him the best chance in the East to be able to get back to compete for a championship.”This is where most Heat fans are going to pull the Antetokounmpo card. Heat Nation will argue Miami would have been James’ best bet because the team has the best player of the teams that were in the running to land James. Wade did say James returning to Miami would have been promising, but there ultimately may have not been enough to lure him back.“I think Miami would have been a good move as well,” Wade expressed, “but there’s a lot of mo