LeBron James running away? He's going all in on Curry.

Inside a luxury oceanfront villa on Miami's South Coast.

"Bang!"

A valuable custom-made crystal glass was smashed against the wall and shattered into pieces, with glass shards flying all over the floor.

"Foul refereeing! This is definitely the league targeting me! How much money did that damn nouveau riche Chinese-American bribe David Stern?!"

LeBron James paced back and forth in the spacious living room like an enraged lion, veins throbbing on his forehead.

Recalling the 29-point blowout loss he suffered at the American Airlines Center a few hours earlier, and the scene of Leonard and Gasol dominating him in the paint while the referees turned a blind eye, James felt a deep sense of powerlessness and shame.

What broke his defense even more was that when he was forced to use his "intelligent groin" to escape in the third quarter, even the Heat's home fans couldn't help but boo.

"Rich! I've had enough! I don't want to stay in this damn system for another second!"

James abruptly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at his best friend and agent, Rich Paul, sitting on the sofa. "Wade's knees are completely ruined, and Bosh is as soft as noodles in the paint! This team's potential has been completely drained! Get me started on contacting other teams right now. I want to request a trade! I want to leave Miami!"

Despite his good friend's emotional outburst, Rich Paul remained unusually calm.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, stood up, walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and handed it to James.

"Calm down, LeBron. Have a drink to cool down."

Rich Paul said sternly, "I know you're furious, but talking about requesting a trade is stupid enough to be said in this room, but absolutely not a word of it should be leaked out!"

"Why?! Am I supposed to stay here and die with Wade?!" James shoved his wine glass away.

"Because we can't leave at all right now!"

Rich Paul succinctly pointed out the harsh reality: "That damn 'Decision' in 2010 has already branded you a 'traitor' across America. If you actively request a trade again during your contract period, your business image will suffer a devastating blow! Nike will kill us!"

"More importantly, Pat Riley, that old fox, is no saint. If you try to force him to resign at this crucial moment, he will definitely sell you to the highest bidder. And to get you, your new team will have to be skinned alive by Riley, giving up most of their immediate contributors and draft picks!"

Rich Paul scoffed, "When you get to your new team, all you'll see is a bunch of G League minimum-salary trash. Who's going to help you win? Who's going to bail you out? How's that any different from your first seven years in Cleveland?!"

This meticulous analysis of the pros and cons was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the anger raging within James.

Yes, transactions require leverage.

With his new team, how can he compete with the Cavaliers' current strong and well-equipped squad?

"Are we just going to sit here and wait to die? Watch that brat Su Yang run rampant in the East?" James gritted his teeth and plopped down on the sofa.

"Of course not."

A shrewd glint flashed in Rich Paul's eyes. "The Cavaliers are indeed formidable right now, and Su Yang's 'Death Lineup' and three-point system are certainly ahead of their time. But don't forget, that extreme run-and-gun offense and shooting hasn't been tested under the real pressure of the playoffs!"

"As for today's game, you don't need to be so pessimistic. Your sudden disappearance of the whistle may have been fueled by Su Yang behind the scenes, but I feel that this is more like a warning from the league's capital circle to you for your recent 'uncooperative' behavior."

"A warning to me?" James was stunned.

Rich Paul lowered his voice, his tone mysterious: "LeBron, think about it. How long has it been since you attended one of those Hollywood moguls' private parties? How long has it been since you went to Los Angeles to network with Diddy 'Puff Daddy'?"

"In this league, the referees' whistles are essentially a reflection of capital influence. Lately, you've been focused on training and winning championships, neglecting the big shots who can sway the league. Their decision to revoke your calls today is just a small warning!"

Upon hearing about "Puff Daddy" and those wild parties in Hollywood, James's expression changed, and a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

It turns out that there's a lot more to competitive sports than meets the eye.

"So, as long as you restore the relationship and get your tip-offs back, in the high-level playoffs, those Cavaliers' shooters who rely on luck will still be no match for you if their shooting goes cold!"

Rich Paul patted James on the shoulder and then revealed his true core vision for the game today:

Even if, hypothetically, the Heat really can't beat the Cavaliers this year, we absolutely cannot leave now! We have to wait!

"Wait for what?" James asked, puzzled.

"Wait until 2014!"

Rich Paul's tone suddenly became incredibly enthusiastic: "In the summer of 2014, your 4+2 contract will reach the player option year! At that time, you can opt out of the contract and become a free agent!"

"Only by leaving as a free agent can your new team avoid giving up any trade assets! You can retain all of your new team's immediate contributors and directly assemble the perfect championship-contending roster!"

James frowned: "But if I opt out of my contract in 2014, I will lose my Bird rights with the Heat, which will result in a significant loss in salary."

"Don't worry about the salary! What we want is absolute power and control!"

Rich Paul scoffed, "By 2014, you'll be under thirty, still at your peak. At that time, we'll not only opt out of your contract, but we'll never sign another long-term deal after that!"

"We will only sign a 1+1 contract!"

"A 1+1 contract?" James' eyes widened. This was a contract that very few superstars in the league would be willing to sign because it lacked long-term injury protection.

"That's right! This is our ultimate weapon of the future!"

Rich Paul got more and more excited as he spoke: "We can market this to the media like crazy, saying, 'Only LeBron in the entire league dares to sign such a risky contract to put pressure on management and maintain the team's championship competitiveness!' The outside world will definitely praise your selflessness and dominance!"

"But what's the reality? This 1+1 contract is your 'get-out-of-jail-free card' that lets you escape anytime, anywhere!"

"Once the potential of the new team has been fully exploited, and once your teammates are old, injured, or unable to play anymore, you can immediately opt out of your contract and leave in the second year! You don't have to worry about any management's opinion!"

"LeBron, you must remember this truth—"

Rich Paul stared into James' eyes and said, word by word, "The Cleveland Cavaliers can't stay strong forever. But as long as you use the 1+1 contract to always maintain the ability to bring in younger, stronger teammates, then you... can stay strong forever!"

boom!

These words were like a wake-up call, opening the door to a new world for James!

Yeah! As long as I'm always on the same team as stars in their prime, I'll always be the biggest favorite to win the championship! Can't beat the Cavaliers? Then I'll just get a stronger team and keep playing!

"So where should I go in 2014?" James asked impatiently.

"Looking across the entire league, there are many young talents struggling on bad teams."

Rich Paul had already done his homework: "Take Kyrie Irving, the number one draft pick for the Utah Jazz! He wasn't happy in Salt Lake City, but he has historic one-on-one skills! And Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, a super stretch big man averaging a double-double!"

"By 2014, we can secretly contact them to find a team with salary cap space and build a younger, more compatible Big Three!"

After hearing this grand "future plan," James's gloomy mood vanished instantly.

His only regret now is that he signed a 4+2 long-term contract in Miami back then, which locked him up for the sake of "Bird rights".

If he had grasped the essence of the 1+1 contract earlier, he could have run away anytime, anywhere by now!

"I get it, Richie. Your plan is absolutely perfect!"

James stood up, let out a long sigh of relief, and a renewed sense of control over the future rekindled in his eyes.

However, the current problems still need to be solved. He still needs to find a way to overcome the formidable challenge of the Cavaliers this season.

"You're right, Richie. Basketball isn't just about fighting; it's also about human relationships."

James stroked his chin, his eyes becoming somewhat meaningful. "Help me contact Diddy."

Next weekend, I'm going to Los Angeles for his party and to get my "fairness whistle" back!

"No problem, I'll arrange it right away." Rich Paul nodded with a smile.

Just as Rich Paul was about to turn around to get his phone, James suddenly called out to him.

"Oh, right, Richie."

James coughed twice, his expression revealing a resolute determination and a tragic, death-defying resolve, and lowered his voice to give the order:

"Before you go to Hollywood, buy me a few cases of baby oil. This time, it's for my special privilege post..."

"I have to prepare this baby oil myself."