LeBron Leaves the Heat; Returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Rumors of where LeBron was headed to after he decided to opt out of his Heat contract have been circulating for weeks, but now it’s official— LeBron is leaving the Miami Heat and returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron explains his decision in the newest issue of Sport Illustrated, and makes it clear that he is not leaving Miami due to issues with Erik Spoelstra or any part of the Miami Heat organization.

Although he says he would always see Miami as a second home, LeBron explains: “I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.”

LeBron initially signed a 6-year deal with the Heat back in 2010, with the option to opt out this year, which he exercised following the Heat’s loss to the Spurs in the NBA finals. When LeBron announced his move to Miami in 2010, the decision was met with anger from Cleveland fans, complete with jerseys being burned and an open letter from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. LeBron makes it clear all that is in the past now, and although here in Miami we are sad to see him go, no doubt Cavaliers fans will be glad to see their hometown star athlete return.