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NBA teams prepare to chase stars in free agency

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, left, Chris Bosh, center, and LeBron James pose with their championship rings during a ceremony before an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Miami. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that James has decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat and become a free agent on July 1. Opting out does not mean James has decided to leave the Heat, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the four-time NBA MVP nor the team had made any public announcement. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, David Santiago, File) MAGS OUT
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012 file photo, Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, left, Chris Bosh, center, and LeBron James pose with their championship rings during a ceremony before an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Miami. A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that James has decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat and become a free agent on July 1. Opting out does not mean James has decided to leave the Heat, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the four-time NBA MVP nor the team had made any public announcement. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, David Santiago, File) MAGS OUT

By Associated Press 4 min read

The people of Cleveland burned LeBron James’ jersey when he jilted the Cavaliers four years ago. They cursed his name and swore he was no son of theirs any longer. They cheered his defeats on South Beach with more enthusiasm than they cheered his victories on the shores of Lake Erie.

And now they’d do anything to get him back.

Such is the conflict facing teams across the league with free agency opening at midnight Eastern on Tuesday.

Even after the San Antonio Spurs dethroned James and the two-time defending champion Mimi Heat with a max contract-shunning, throwback brand of selfless play, the allure of splurging on one big star will be too intoxicating for most teams to resist.

James is back on the market this year, along with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade – the same trio that turned the NBA on its head when they united in 2010 to form a team that advanced for four straight NBA Finals.