For a moment, it looked like the Miami Heat knew LeBron James’ next destination. Then, they quickly said it was all just an innocent mistake.
A link for a live stream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference,” scheduled for July 27, was briefly posted on Tuesday to the Heat’s YouTube channel. It was later deleted.
A team spokesperson told multiple news outlets Tuesday night that the post was a mistake and was merely an effort to be prepared in case James decides to sign with the Heat for his 24th NBA season. The team’s social media department was preparing the stream in advance and accidentally published the link.
On Tuesday morning, several hours before the Heat’s mishap, Klutch Sports CEO and James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, preached patience, telling ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that no decision has been made.
“Just have a little patience with him,” Paul said. “Obviously, it’s his choice. … This is a very important choice for him, and you cannot rush it. I think he’s earned the right to not be rushed.”
This came on the heels of Paul’s comments on the latest episode of his podcast, “Game Over” with Max Kellerman, on Monday night: “We’re not going to be rushed. It’s his choice to make, and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it,” he said.
Where will LeBron James end up?
The Athletic NBA Staff and Jeshua Kidd
James spent four seasons in Miami, from 2010-14, after spending the first seven seasons of his NBA career with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. He famously made his first “Decision” during an hour-long ESPN special, announcing he would take his talents to South Beach.
In a dominant stretch, he teamed with fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to make four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning two championships. James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, won two MVP awards (2012, 2013), and earned First Team All-NBA honors in all four of his seasons with the Heat.
At 41 years old, James is an unrestricted free agent coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was his eighth and final season in Los Angeles.
Now he has another decision to make, and Miami has been reported to be among the potential destinations. The Heat are considered finalists for James, along with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and others.
“It’s not a thing where you’re toying with people’s emotions,” Paul told McAfee. “This man has a very important, layered decision to make across business, across family, across basketball. You just have to be patient with him.”
Should James, who announced he’d be leaving the Lakers on June 30, choose the Heat for the second time in his career, he would again be joining a star-studded roster alongside newly acquired forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, plus three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo.