"He Was Annoyed": Brian Windhorst Reveals LeBron James' Reaction to Media Coverage of His Miami Heat Move

NBA free agency is on the horizon, with most wondering what's next for LeBron James. After playing eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, James will once again test free agency. However, the situation surrounding his future remains tricky, and there could be a bombshell similar to when he made 'The Decision' to join the Miami Heat in 2010 after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. Interestingly, the way it was covered absolutely infuriated James.

NBA insider Brian Windhorst shared LeBron's reaction to the media after he learned about the rumors.

"The Heat did not like us [ESPN] there," Windhorst said on the network. "LeBron was in a bad mood about ESPN. He thought ESPN had turned its back on him and taken advantage of him in the wake of the decision. He was annoyed by all the coverage. Looking back on it, it was annoying."

It was a very tense moment. Cleveland fans were not happy about the prospect of their hometown hero, the man whom the Cavs drafted out of high school in 2003, leaving for the Heat. And the league was put on notice because joining Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the 305 meant the Heat would officially become an assembled superteam, which was rare at the time.

"We're all learning," Windhorst continued. "LeBron was learning what it took to be with the Heat. We at ESPN are learning how to cover this type of unfolding story."

Reporting, however, continued throughout James' career, whether he liked it or not. And when he left the Heat in 2014 to return home to the Cavs, there was just as much interest. Then, in 2018, when he joined the Lakers, there was a lot of focus on his business ventures and life away from basketball, which linked him to the city of Los Angeles. And even now, after eight years in Hollywood, there is still a lot of unpredictability, which the media is actively covering.

It comes with being the best basketball player of his generation, and possibly of all time. Interestingly, at the time of writing, the Miami Heat are emerging as a candidate to sign James once again. Rumors gained momentum after the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this week.

Sports Analyst Says LeBron James Needs to Return to Miami

While LeBron James' career decision remains up in the air, many are interested to see him join forces with Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and the Miami Heat. Ever since the Greek Freak, in particular, got traded to Miami, a plethora of rumors and speculations of James soon following began circulating.

Sports analyst Colin Cowherd gave his two cents regarding James' potential comeback to Miami. Cowherd believes that LeBron is exactly the player the current Heat roster needs to fill the gaps and go for the championship. He also added that James can get his son, Bronny, down to Florida with him.

"He likes the warm weather; he’s a golfer now," Cowherd said. "You can golf year-round in Miami … Miami is on fire. It’s a fun city, he’s been there. It works. Miami with Giannis, Bam (Adebayo), and (Bobby) Portis, what do they need? Shot creation … Scoring and facilitating are what Miami will be struggling with. (Erik Spoelstra), (Pat) Riley, LeBron, Giannis, Bam, Portis, Wiggins, Bronny (James), that’s a squad."

However, the biggest concern right now for both parties is money. James previously expressed that he will only play for a contending team that is willing to pay him a generous amount. Looking at the Heat's cap space, the best that they can offer the King is the mid-level exception, which is worth around $15 million, which is something he could realistically earn at the Golden State Warriors by teaming up with Stephen Curry.

The Warriors remain a team linked to James, with some rumors suggesting that Curry will pitch a project to him that could see them team up. Then there's also Cleveland, where James could have a third homecoming and chase another championship in Year 24, which is widely expected to be his final season in the NBA.

LeBron is more or less expecting $50 million above, which is way over what the Heat can afford. With that in mind, it might be tricky to convince James to join Miami if he won't agree to a pay cut.