If Miami Hadn't Amnestied Mike Miller, Would LeBron Still Be With the Heat?

Not to dampen the entire LeBron-goes-home narrative, but … would LeBron have left the Heat if they had never dumped Mike Miller to save money?

Mike Miller told the Northeast Ohio Media Group he doesn’t think so:

"“LeBron thought it was an unnecessary change,” Miller revealed to Northeast Ohio Media Group. “I’m not saying I would have been a difference-maker. San Antonio was unbelievable last year and there are a lot of things that go into a season, but it was difficult for LeBron. “It was difficult for all of us. It was difficult for me. I had to uproot my family and move again. It was tough. I think he was disappointed because he understands legacies and he understands what he wants to do in life. That’s what makes him special.”"

LeBron himself said recently that if the Heat had won a 3rd straight title, he probably wouldn’t have left Miami (because Jordan never won four in a row).

But the Miller move was cold-blooded because it showed LeBron something – for all the ‘family’ chatter that the Heat preached, why did owner Micky Arison pull a stunt like this? LeBron and Miller were close, and to save a few bucks by amnestying their 3-point gunner was a weak move that had to cut deep. You know what happened next: The Heat got old quickly, and crumbled badly in the Finals against the Spurs.

And then LeBron went to Cleveland.

And Mike Miller has since joined him.