NBA Free Agents 2014: LeBron James Will Stay With Miami Heat Insists Pat Riley

By Paul John Rivera| Mar 03, 2014

Miami Heat superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh could all become free agents this summer, but team president Pat Riley is optimistic that the "Big Three" will stay in put in South Beach.

In an interview with the Sun-Sentinel, Riley did not directly address the possible free agency of his superstars, but when asked about rumors surrounding James suggesting that he'll consider returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, Riley seemed convinced that the four-time Most Valuable Player would stay in Miami.

"He wants to win. And that's all it's about. All the other stuff that's flying around like butterflies, they're just things. And he deals with it as well as anybody," Riley said.

The former Heat coach also added that Bosh and Wade are bound to stay in Miami as well, considering the fact that both superstars, along with James, have built a strong relationship since joining forces in Miami in 2010, which produced two titles in three NBA Finals stints in as many seasons.

"I'm so proud of him [James] and Chris and Dwyane, that they're able to subjugate, really subjugate their games, and look what it's brought them. And I think it can only get better," Riley added.

Riley also addressed recent reports of the Heat's failed bids to sign free agents Danny Granger and Caron Butler last week.

The five-time NBA champion coach, who admitted that they aggressively pursued Butler, said that their failed bids were caused by their inability to offer meaningful roles because of their deep lineup.

"I think when you look at our roster, and I think in our conversations with them, they wanted a meaningful role, and I don't blame them," Riley said. "And we're pretty deep. When you've got James Jones and Udonis Haslem and Rashard Lewis in those positions, they're waiting."

Butler, who was also reportedly interested in returning to Miami, opted to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after the Heat failed to commit to giving him significant playing time.

The Heat also made a run at signing former Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, but the former All-Star decided to ink a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

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