The NBA offseason has reached the free agency stage and that means we’re going to be hearing more and more about LeBron James and where he plans on continuing his basketball future.
So far all we know is that he opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat before anyone else in South Beach did and apparently did so on his own ambition and without the consent of the Heat or the Big 3.
Either way, LeBron’s future is now up in the air and the rumor mill is spinning out of control with everything from past letters that were written by Dan Gilbert to where private jets are flying and even cupcake shops getting involved in the LeBron James free agent frenzy.
[Update: 7/9/14 3:08pm] According to Woj, the meeting with the Miami Heat is being treated as though it’s a normal meeting and not the end of the world.
Miami isn’t treating today like some kind of Armageddon w/ James, just normal planning meeting to show financial way team’s back together.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 1:21pm] The Cavs reportedly have outlined trade various scenarios for James’s agent, Rich Paul, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio.
The Cavs expressed to Paul that, after their discussions with the Timberwolves, doing a deal “would not be easy,” according to one source. That source also expressed that the Cavs were reluctant to include No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins in any potential deal.
[Update: 7/9/14 11:44am] Among GMs in the NBA, the belief is that LeBron James will end up re-signing with the Miami Heat this summer.
Among GM’s, there’s still belief LeBron James walks into Pat Riley meeting, lays out his 1-2 year max contract proposal and stays w/ Heat. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 11:25am] Contrary to prior reports, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been given no assurances about LeBron James signing with them over the Miami Heat.
For Cavaliers, there are no assurances on LeBron James — and Plan B remains free agent Trevor Ariza into part of space, sources tell Yahoo. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014
League source says Cavs’ cap-clearing trade today is not LeBron-or-bust. Cavs have space and attractive situation even if LeBron says no. — Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 9, 2014
The cap space gives them flexibility regardless of what happens.
Cavs source tells @FOXSportsOH: “We have made a couple moves that puts us solidly in a spot for a max contract … plus.” — Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 10:51am] The big trade that hte Cleveland Cavaliers facilitated was apparently prompted by calls from LeBron James’ agent to the Cavs telling them to clear cap space for him.
ESPN sources say Brooklyn Nets on verge of acquiring Jarrett Jack from Cleveland in three-team deal — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2014
Trade can’t be completed until Thursday, but Cavs on brink of shedding contracts of Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller & Sergey Karasev in this deal — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 10:36am] According to Brian Windhorst, the Cavaliers-Nets-Celtics three way trade this morning is in direct reposnse to the Cavaliers trying to dump salary in order to chase LeBron James.
3-team trade involving Cavs, Celtics & Nets could allow Cavs to open about $24M in cap space. LeBron max is $20.7M — Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 9:24am] As Brian Windhorst from ESPN.com points out, the Miami Heat were not expecting to have to recruit LeBron James like they did back in 2010 when he opted out earlier this offseason.
In a time of reckless speculation this is unequivocal: Heat didn’t expect to need 2010-style recruiting meeting with LeBron this summer — Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 7:22am] The Miami Heat are rolling out all the stop s in their meeting with LeBron as everyone from Pat Riley to Dwyane Wade and even owner Mickey Arison will be on hand.
In addition to Pat Riley, it is believed Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Mickey Arison and Dwyane Wade will attend today’s meeting with LeBron James — Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/9/14 12:16am] The rumor going around that Nike bought up billboards to welcome LeBron back to Cleveland is not true, according to Sam Amick and Marc Stein.
Been strongly advised by source close to situation to dismiss Twitter suggestions that Nike bought billboards in CLE for LeBron announcement — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2014
Doesn’t mean LeBron can’t wind up in Cleveland, of course, but source insists today’s billboard story is purely a Twitter tale — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2014
What @ESPNSteinLine said (re: Cleveland billboards rumor). Told Nike has not purchased LeBron announcement signage in Cleveland. Carry on. — Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 9, 2014
[Update: 7/8/14 11:28pm] According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who spoke to a friend of Anthony, Anthony’s “dream” is to play with James in New York.
According to a friend of Anthony’s, Melo has held out faint hope Knicks president Phil Jackson can pull a miracle and clear out the necessary salary-cap space to get it done, but he is running out of time. Anthony’s decision could come in the next couple of days…
[Update: 7/8/14 7:30pm] According to Chris Sheridan, LeBron going back to Cleveland is at 90 percent, and the announcement of that decision will be coming very shortly.
A plugged-in source tells me there is a 90 percent chance that LeBron James will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers
[Update: 7/8/14 5:03pm] The meeting with the Miami Heat will be taking place on Wednesday, according to Sam Amico from Fox Sports Ohio.
Hearing LeBron James’ meeting with Heat president Pat Riley may be taking place this afternoon. — Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 8, 2014
Sun Sentinel confirms LeBron meeting with Riley is today in Las Vegas. — Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/8/14 1:35pm] Amico chimes in again to say that there has been more contact between the Cavs and LeBron than has been reported but Miami is still where LeBron is leaning.
Cavs have had back and forth with LeBron’s camp, more than what’s been reported, I’m told. But source says he thinks LBJ leaning toward Heat — Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/8/14 1:31pm] Sam Amico from Fox Sports Ohio is reporting that the meeting with LeBron James and the Heat will indeed take place on Tuesday, as was previously speculated by Marc Stein and Chris Broussard.
Hearing LeBron James’ meeting with Heat president Pat Riley may be taking place this afternoon. — Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/8/14 1:20pm] Marc J. Spears passes along word that Dwyane Wade was in Las Vegas last night and had dinner with LeBron James before going out to a club with him.
LeBron James & Dwyane Wade had dinner at LAVO in Vegas late last night with some friends before going to Marquee Night Club, a source said. — Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/8/14 10:11am] According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, there is a fear within the Knicks front office that Melo is holding off on committing where he wants to play because he’s trying to team up with LeBron James in either Los Angeles or Miami.
The Knicks expected Carmelo Anthony’s decision by Monday, but heard only crickets. A growing belief within the organization is Anthony is waiting to make sure there is no possible way of hooking up with LeBron James in Miami or Los Angeles.
[Update: 7/8/14 12:39am] ESPN.com’s Marc Stein and Chris Broussard report that the meeting between the heat and LeBron could take place in Las Vegas today.
My man @Chris_Broussard just reported on @SportsCenter that LeBron’s meeting w/Pat Riley could take place in Vegas perhaps as soon as TUES — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/8/15 12:15am] According to Jeff Zillgit and Sam Amick of The USA Today, Riley is confident the Heat can keep James, Bosh and Wade.
This much is clear: Riley is confident James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will return, according to people who have had phone conversations with Riley in the last week. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports under the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the conversations. Of course, Riley’s confidence doesn’t guarantee anything. But right now, he isn’t scrambling.
[Update: 7/7/14 9:37pm] According to Joe Kotoch, the signings of Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts will not sway LeBron’s decision one way or the other.
I’m told Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts signing with Miami does not affect LeBron’s decision. — Probasketballdraft (@Probballdraft) July 8, 2014
[Update: 7/7/14 6:10pm] Kyrie Irving has jumped on the LeBron bandwagon and is reportedly recruiting him to come back to Cleveland
Kyrie Irving has made recruiting pitch to LeBron James, sources say. ESPN reports Kyrie as saying Cavs will get LeBron all the help he needs — Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 7, 2014
[Update: 7/7/14 12:43pm] According to ESPN and Chris Broussard, the Dallas Mavericks have moved on from their pursuit if not only LeBron James but also of Carmelo Anthony as well.
Dallas, believing it will likely lose out on both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, will attempt to sign Chandler Parsons away from the Houston Rockets. The Mavericks also have Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza in their sights, sources said.
[Update: 7/7/14 12:33pm]
Within Heat, still confidence they’ll keep LeBron James. They know difference between his agent’s agenda, and James’ strong mind of his own. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2014
[Update: 7/7/14 10:41am] According to Sam Amico from Fox Sports Ohio, should the Cavaliers find a way to get LeBron James back it may also mean that Ray Allen might follow him.
It is also quite possible that if James returns to the Cavs, longtime NBA sharpshooter Ray Allen would join him. Allen was a member of the Heat the previous two seasons, and has said he would like to play for the team James chooses in free agency. Allen is a free agent as well.
[Update: 7/7/14 10:16am] For what it’s worth, the letter that Dan Gilbert wrote in 2010 that chastised LeBron for leaving Cleveland has been removed from the team’s website.
For 4 years, Dan Gilbert’s letter after LeBron’s decision has been on team website. It appears it was removed today: http://t.co/O256mqVtNs — Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 7, 2014
[Update: 7/7/14 10:00am] As it turns out, Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports reports that the whole conversation about LeBron going back to Cleveland begins with his agent, who has been telling Cleveland to buckle up and get ready to get the superstar back.
At the urging of LeBron James’ agent, the Cleveland Cavaliers are pursuing a maximum contract salary slot to bring back the free-agent superstar, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
[Update: 7/7/14 9:28am] From ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein:
After more than two years of planning, the Cleveland Cavaliers believe they have LeBron James legitimately listening to their pitch to leave the Miami Heat and return to his home state in free agency, according to sources close to the process.
[Update: 7/7/14 9:26am] According to Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports, the Miami Heat are trying to get free agents for LeBron James this summer but they’re getting no assistance whatsoever from him in the recruiting process.
“LeBron is the ultimate recruiter, but he hasn’t been any part of this process,” a league source tied to the Heat’s recruiting efforts told Yahoo Sports. “The first question they all ask is the same: ‘Do I get to hear from LeBron? What’s he going to do?’”
[Update: 7/7/14 7:49am] There could be a slight hangup in the LeBron-Cavs rumors as that pesky letter Dan Gilbert wrote back in 2010 blasting James apparently is still on his mind.
The Cavs still have several hurdles to overcome. Rival teams are skeptical that James and Gilbert will be able to patch up their differences in the wake of James’ televised “announcement” and Gilbert’s subsequent open letter that attacked James’ character and got him fined by then-commissioner David Stern.
