As speculation continues about LeBron James’ future, Miami Heat president Pat Riley made it clear there are no lingering hard feelings between the two.
Appearing on “The Dan LeBatard Show” on Monday, Riley reflected on his current relationship with James, saying the two have moved on from the circumstances surrounding the superstar’s departure from Miami in 2014.
“I’ve seen him around, run into him at All-Star games, we had a great embrace when they honored me with a statue out there,” Riley said. “Seeing he and Savannah in the stands at certain things, she’s always been a really gracious, wonderful person.”
James spent four seasons with the Heat from 2010 to 2014, teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.
During that stretch, he also captured two regular-season MVP awards and two Finals MVP honors.
After Miami fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals, James left in free agency to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending one of the NBA’s most successful eras.
Riley admitted the decision was difficult to accept at the time.
“LeBron and I, we haven’t talked much, but you let go of that stuff,” he said. “I was very disappointed because I thought we were looking at a dynasty, or something dynastic, and we now had a chance to add other players to it in 14.”
Riley added that he no longer dwells on the past and even joked that he’d like to spend time with James on the golf course someday, despite not being much of a golfer.
Pat Riley reveals status of LeBron James’ relationship after rocky Heat split – as free agency rumors swirl https://t.co/mVA3igfysz pic.twitter.com/gKvDmAogwJ
— New York Post (@nypost) July 20, 2026
