NBA: Top 25 Free Agent Signings of All-Time
By Bryce Olin
1. LeBron James, Miami Heat
| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 ★ | 79 | 38.8 | 9.6 | 18.8 | .510 | .330 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 1.6 | 26.7 |
| 2011-12 ★ | 62 | 37.5 | 10.0 | 18.9 | .531 | .362 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 27.1 |
| 2012-13 ★ | 76 | 37.9 | 10.1 | 17.8 | .565 | .406 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 26.8 |
| 2013-14 ★ | 77 | 37.7 | 10.0 | 17.6 | .567 | .379 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 27.1 |
| Career | 857 | 39.5 | 9.9 | 19.9 | .496 | .342 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 27.5 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/2/2014.
James never won three straight championships in Miami like Shaq did with the Lakers, but he did lead the Miami Heat to four straight NBA Finals and two NBA championships while being the best player in the game during that four-year span.
Technically, James was sent to Miami in a sign-and-trade deal between Cleveland and Miami, but for all intents and purposes, he chose to go to Miami as a free agent. It doesn’t really matter how the deal “technically” got done. I consider James a free agent signing of the Miami Heat.
Depending on how James’ return to Cleveland works out, James may be remembered most for his time with the Miami Heat, in which he averaged 26.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game.