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

In late June 2014, as the Cleveland Cavaliers lifted their second Larry O'Brien Trophy and began their dynasty with an invincible 16-0 playoff record, the entire NBA officially entered a turbulent offseason.

This summer, all the spotlights in the league were shining on the south coast of Miami.

Because the "4+2" contracts that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh signed back then have finally reached the point where they have the option to opt out early!

Miami, in a high-end conference room within the Miami Heat organization.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Being thrashed by the Cavaliers in the playoffs for two consecutive years cast a dark shadow over this once invincible defending champions.

"Dwayne, Chris. We have to make a change."

LeBron James sat at the head of the long table, looking sincerely at his two good brothers, his tone conveying a touching sense of righteous indignation.

"You've all seen the Cavaliers' strength. If we maintain our current salary structure, Pat Riley simply won't have the extra cap space to sign decent supporting players in free agency. We'll continue to be dominated by Cleveland!"

James threw out the script he and Rich Paul had meticulously planned long ago:

"For the future of the team, and so that we can continue to win championships together, I propose that the three of us simultaneously announce today that we are opting out of the final year of our contracts!"

"If we opt out of our contracts, the team will free up tens of millions of dollars in salary cap space! Pat Riley can then sign Kyle Lowry or Carmelo Anthony! Once the team has strengthened its roster, we can re-sign them at a reduced salary! For the sake of brotherhood basketball, this sacrifice is worthwhile!"

Chris Bosh hesitated upon hearing James's suggestion.

But Dwyane Wade, the Flash who considers Miami his life and James his lifelong friend, had his inner fire reignited when he looked into James's "expectant" eyes.

If Wade exercises his player option on his current contract, he will secure a two-year salary of a staggering $4180 million next season!

For a veteran whose peak is coming to an end, this $4180 million is definitely the last big contract he can get in his career.

But for the sake of winning, for the sake of that sacred promise of "brotherhood basketball".

Wade gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.

"Okay! LeBron, I'll listen to you. As long as we win, I'm willing to opt out of my contract and take a pay cut!"

Seeing Wade agree without hesitation, a barely perceptible gleam of ecstasy flashed in James' eyes.

"Thank you, Dwyane. You'll always be my best brother." James stepped forward and hugged Wade tightly.

Three days later, the Miami Heat officially announced shocking news for the league: the Big Three opted out of their contracts and became unrestricted free agents!

Heat fans across the United States are cheering, believing that the Big Three are collectively taking pay cuts to make room for the team to bring in a fourth star!

however.

Just one week after the start of free agency, a deafening crashing sound came from the Miami Heat's president's office!

"Bang!!!"

Pat Riley, known for his calm and ruthless nature, is currently slamming the documents on the table onto the floor.

"He's a liar! He's treating us all like fools!!"

Pat Riley stared at the intelligence he had just received, his eyes blazing with fury.

LeBron James, who vowed to opt out of his contract to "strengthen the team," did not engage in any substantive contract extension negotiations with the Heat after becoming a free agent!

Conversely, LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, was chatting and laughing with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer in a top-tier hotel in Los Angeles!

James wasn't trying to make room for the Heat at all; he was trying to get away and escape without any obstacles!

The reason he persuaded Wade and Bosh to opt out of their contracts was simply because if he were the only one to opt out and run away, the accusation of betraying his brothers would be too nasty.

"Everyone opted out of their contracts; I just found better opportunities in the market. I didn't abandon my brothers; we all simply made our own business choices."

This is the whitewashing logic Rich Paul has prepared for James!

"That bastard... not only did he run away, but he also messed up our payroll!" Riley gritted his teeth in anger.

But Riley didn't even have time to be angry, because another devastating piece of bad news followed.

"Mr. Riley! The Houston Rockets have made their move!"

The assistant rushed in, sweating profusely. "Rockets general manager Daryl Morey just offered Chris Bosh a four-year, maximum contract worth a whopping $8800 million!"

"Fuck!" Riley gasped.

Without LeBron James, and if they lose Chris Bosh as well, the Miami Heat will fall apart and become a bottom-tier team!

"We can't let Chris leave! He's our only pillar in the paint right now!"

Riley, almost gritting his teeth, made a decision he would later deeply regret: "Call Chris Bosh's agent immediately! The Rockets give him four years, we'll give him five! Use the Bird exception! Give him a five-year, $1.18 million supermax contract! Keep him in Miami!"

Faced with the lure of a five-year, $1.18 million contract, Bosh, who originally wanted to compete for a championship in Houston, did not hesitate to choose money and immediately signed his name on the contract extension.

However, Bosh's signing drained the Heat's already tight salary cap space!

a few days later.

When Dwyane Wade limped into Pat Riley's office, ready to discuss his contract extension with a pay cut.

What awaited him was not a hero's welcome, but Riley's extremely cold poker face.

"Dwyane, you've seen the team's current situation. LeBron went to Los Angeles, and to keep Chris, we gave up all our max cap space."

Riley's tone revealed the absolute cold-bloodedness of a capitalist:

"We only have a pitiful amount of cap space left. The team can only offer you a two-year, $31 million contract at most."

Upon hearing this number, Wade froze on the spot.

3100 million in 2 years?!

Just a few days ago, he opted out of a $4180 million contract for "Brothers Basketball"!

In the end, he was not only swindled out of everything by his good friend, but also lost more than ten million US dollars of his hard-earned money!

"Pat... I opted out of my contract to help the team. Now LeBron is gone. I gave all my knees and my youth to Miami, and you can't treat me like this..." Wade's voice trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief and sorrow.

"That's business, Dwyane."

Riley's eyes were devoid of any warmth.

In fact, he also harbored resentment towards Wade because of this incident.

In Riley's view, if Wade hadn't believed James's lies and opted out of his contract, how could the Heat have fallen into such a passive situation?

He vented his anger at James's escape on Wade.

"The contract is right here. If you don't want to sign it, the free market is always open to you."

Wade stared blankly at the cold, hard contract, the words Su Yang had once said to Durant on Twitter flashing through his mind.

Don't let loyalty ruin you.

It turns out that in the face of capital and scheming, his proud "brotherly love" and "city totem" are actually so cheap and ridiculous.

……

Just as the locker room in Miami was falling apart, and Wade tearfully signed that humiliating pay cut contract.

July 10, 2014, 7 PM.

ESPN, the largest sports television network in the United States, suddenly suspended all its regular programming.

On the screen, a huge red title appeared: "The Decision 2.0"!

Four years later, the man who once brought his talent to the South Coast with a nationally televised broadcast is once again sitting in the spotlight of a nationally televised broadcast.

LeBron James wore a carefully chosen burgundy plaid shirt, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes conveying a deep and tragic sense of "deliberation."

"This summer, I am once again facing a crossroads in my career."

When asked questions by the host, James' voice was deep and magnetic:

"We had four unforgettable years in Miami. I love Dwyane, I love Chris, they're my brothers for life. But you know how cruel competitive sports are, injuries and the years are taking their toll on that great team."

"I'm a player who strives for greatness. I need to face new challenges and save a team that's mired in difficulties."

James raised his head, looked directly at the camera, and slowly uttered the line that drove all of California wild:

"So, this summer."

"I've made another tough decision. I'm taking my talents from the South Coast to the West Coast. I'm joining the Los Angeles Clippers!"

"Los Angeles is a great city. It has Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. They are incredible talents, but they lack a true leader to guide them to the top."

"I will take responsibility for orchestrating the team; I will be their helmsman. Los Angeles Clippers, get ready for your king! Together we will build an invincible super team!"