In the realm of NBA “what ifs,” few moments loom larger than the summer of 2010 for the Chicago Bulls. Still chasing the glory of Jordan-led 90s, the franchise found itself in a prime position to land both LeBron James and Chris Bosh. The move that could have sparked a new era of dominance in Chicago, but history, of course, had other plans. James and Bosh ultimately chose Miami, joining Dwyane Wade to form the iconic “Big 3” and altering the league’s landscape for years to come. Yet behind that decision lies an often-overlooked twist, a pivotal choice by one Bulls star that quietly blocked LeBron from bringing his talents to the Windy City.

It’s no secret that LeBron James holds Michael Jordan in the highest regard. He has repeatedly said he wears No. 23 in homage to the Bulls legend. Given that admiration, it would have seemed almost poetic for James to follow in Jordan’s footsteps and don the red, black, and white of Chicago. In the summer of 2010, as a free agent after his contract with Cleveland expired, LeBron was reportedly open to making that move. But it wasn’t the weight of Jordan’s legacy or the pressure to live up to it that derailed the plan. The real roadblock? Derrick Rose, the reigning MVP, whose presence ultimately prevented the Bulls from landing a superstar-caliber duo.

Speaking with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Mario Chalmers, LeBron James’ former teammate, offered a revealing glimpse into just how close James came to following in Michael Jordan’s footsteps in Chicago. According to Chalmers, the move was ultimately blocked by none other than Derrick Rose. “I think that had more to do with D-Rose,” Chalmers said. “I don’t see a D-Rose, a ‘Bron, and a D-Wade. Where’s the spacing? Ain’t no spacing on that court. I think that’s why I fit with those two guys because I can shoot the ball and I can space… but, either way, that would’ve been a helluva team.”

Chalmers’ insight underscores a crucial strategic factor from that era. The decision wasn’t a matter of talent. Chicago already had the pieces, but of fit: cramming three ball-dominant stars into one system risked stifling their effectiveness and disrupting spacing. Adding to the complexity, former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Bulls had hoped Derrick Rose would personally court LeBron James to join Chicago. That outreach, however, never happened, leaving the potential dynasty unrealized and further illustrating how a combination of strategy and circumstance kept the “what if” from becoming reality.

“For everything the Bulls tried to sell – from owner Jerry Reinsdorf to GM Gar Forman to coach Tom Thibodeau – there has been one thing that troubled James about the Bulls pitch: Derrick Rose never called and tried to recruit him.” That small gesture, or, more accurately, the absence of one, left a lasting impression on LeBron, ultimately influencing his decision to join the Miami Heat. While Rose and James would eventually share the floor during LeBron’s second stint with the Cavaliers, it’s impossible not to wonder how dominant they might have been together in Chicago. In the end, what was a missed opportunity for the Bulls became a monumental gain for the Heat.

This also highlights the human element behind high-profile NBA decisions. No matter the money or legacy on the table, player relationships and personal outreach can tip the scales. Here, LeBron needed reassurance that he would be welcomed and valued by the team’s core, but Rose’s silence left a void. Chicago’s inability to bridge that personal connection directly contributed to the league-altering formation of Miami’s “Big 3”. A history in itself.

A call that shifted careers and changed the course of the NBA

The phone call that Derrick Rose never made proved to be the turning point not just for LeBron James’ career, but also for another icon’s career: Dwyane Wade. Back in 2010, just like the twenty-one-time NBA All-Star, D-Wade was also seeking a change of scenery and considering leaving South Florida to return to his hometown of Chicago. However, ironically, a call from James changed his mind, as he went on to spend a few more seasons with the Miami Heat.

In a recent appearance on the OGs Show, talking about how King James joined him at the Heat, Dwyane Wade revealed more details of how that historic free agency went. “But man, I was like, ‘I’m going back home. I’m going to Chicago.’ I played seven years here- I won a championship- It’s time to go to the next, and for me, that was my mentality going into free agency outside of Miami. Now, of course, Miami was still in there for me, but I got that call, man. I got that call from number six.” He recalled.

“It was my favorite person besides Kobe to compete against. I’m not thinking about playing with him. I love our matchups. Then I got a call, and the call was- Bron was on the call, I was on the call, and the agents were on the call, and they were explaining to us on the call that the Miami Heat had done enough so that they could get three star players.” Sure enough, it was then a no-brainer for D-Wade, as he waited and LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined him for the new season, and the rest is history as we know it.