In the end, Bam Adebayo still got nothing but love and respect for LeBron James to take his talents elsewhere.
After previously dropping a playful warning, the star big man made new comments about James' decision not to join the Miami Heat this offseason.
“I’m cool with Bron," Adebayo told reporters. "I consider Bron like a brother, honestly. We’ve been Olympic teammates but even before that we’ve always had down-to-earth conversations.
"I’m happy for him. You want what’s best for somebody. That’s really how you go from there.”
Heat set to face LeBron James again after failed free agency pursuit
The Miami Heat were notably in the mix among several teams strongly pursuing LeBron James' big-time unrestricted free agency this summer.
Yet in the end, they failed in their hunt as the four-time NBA MVP chose the Philadelphia 76ers for the next stop of his illustrious career.
James inked an astounding two-year, $8 million veteran's minimum contract with the 76ers, giving himself the best possible chance to win his fifth ring by joining a stacked Philadelphia roster headlined by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown.
After James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he will not return this offseason, the Heat have strongly fantasized about a potential reunion with the superstar, who led them to back-to-back NBA titles through four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from last decade. Upon landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat strongly sought to reconnect with James behind the efforts of Pat Riley.
But as things turned out, the Heat will find themselves facing James as another key opponent from their rival 76ers, as anticipation can't get any higher for next NBA season.