LeBron James sent a message Friday morning to teammate Dwyane Wade that acknowledged the Miami Heat guard's birthday and their uncertain future together after this season.
Wade turned 32 on Friday, and he will spend at least part of his night trying to help the Heat end a season-high three-game losing streak when they play the Philadelphia 76ers.
Wade awoke Friday to an Instagram post from James that included an extensive collage of photos of the two together that were taken on and off the court over various stages of their careers.
In the message, James writes about how far the two have come since their friendship began during the 2003 NBA pre-draft camp. James was taken by Cleveland as the No. 1 overall pick, and Wade was selected fifth by the Heat.
The two became teammates with the Heat in 2010, after James left the Cavaliers as a free agent. Miami has since advanced to the Finals three straight years and is the two-time defending champion.
James, Wade and center Chris Bosh, however, could opt out of their contracts after this season.
"I came to Miami for 2 reasons. To play with U and to win championships and I can't thank you u enough for the sacrifice you've made since I arrived homie!" James wrote in part of the birthday message to Wade. "No matter what happens in the future we stuck together like brothers for life."
James has declined to address his potential free agency since the opening day of training camp in October, when he said he hopes to keep winning championships in Miami but hadn't yet decided if he would opt out of his contract.
There has been speculation that James might consider a return to Cleveland, but James has offered few hints about his future.
Meanwhile, Wade has said he hopes to play his entire career in Miami and retire with the Heat.
Wade also has acknowledged how much of a challenge it has been at times to sacrifice his role as the leader of a franchise he led to a title in 2006 to make way for James' arrival.
The Heat are trying to become only the fourth NBA franchise to win three consecutive championships.
James addressed all he and Wade have accomplished together in the birthday message.
"Happy Bday to my running mate, homie, brother and most of all straight up friend!" James wrote at the beginning of the post. "The friendship we've created our rookie year at pre draft camp was pure and that's why we stuck together from that point on! Obviously didn't know we would eventually become teammates and do the things we've done so far."
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