Things are heating up as the NBA awaits LeBron James’ free-agency decision.
The Miami Heat posted a link on YouTube to a livestream scheduled for July 27, titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference,” on Tuesday. It has since been taken down.
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A spokesperson for the Heat told ESPN that the link was accidentally posted as the team prepared for the possibility of signing James.
The Heat are one of the top teams in conversation for James’ possible next destination along with the 76ers and the Cleveland Guardians. James previously played four seasons with Miami from 2010-2014, winning back-to-back NBA Championships with the team in 2012 and 2013.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rich Paul, founder of Klutch Sports Group and James’ agent, appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he revealed that he doesn’t know when James will make his decision and said those awaiting the decision “just need to have a little patience with him,” as he figures out his choice.
Paul went on to reiterate that ultimately it’s James’ choice while Paul’s role is setting the table for him.
“I think he’s earned the right not to be rushed,” Paul said. “It’s not a thing where you’re toying with people’s emotions or trying to make it about anything more than the fact that, ‘Hey, this man has a very important, layered, decision to make, across business, across family, across basketball.’”
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Earlier in the month, Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey voiced similar sentiments when he spoke with The Inquirer’s Gina Mizell on July 14.
He said that he was waiting on James’ decision “like the rest of the NBA.” And that with a player like James, teams are always going to be OK with moving at his pace with the hopes of eventually landing him.
“We’d love to have him in Philly,” Gansey told The Inquirer from the Sixers’ team hotel. “I think he’d really, really help us and add to our group. But he’s making a big decision here. It’s wild [that] at his age [41], he’s playing at such a high level. But it’s not surprising.
“I have all the respect in the world for him, and he’s smart as heck. He’s going to figure it out and talk to his family, and we’ll be waiting. Whatever he decides, I know he’s going to make the right decision.”