There was reportedly a meeting between the Miami Heat, notably team president Pat Riley, and free agent LeBron James in Las Vegas today.
Sun Sentinel confirms LeBron meeting with Riley is today in Las Vegas.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 8, 2014
Those reports seem to be incorrect. ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported that the meeting with the Heat will take place on Wednesday, not Tuesday.
League Sources: LeBron James's meeting with the Heat will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) in Las Vegas. There was no meeting today
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 8, 2014
Yahoo’s Marc Spears confirmed Broussard’s report and said that LeBron’s meeting today was with Nike.
Source says Heat free agent LeBron James had a meeting with Nike today in Las Vegas and will meet with Heat president Pat Riley on Wednesday
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 8, 2014
It coincides with a report from Tim Reynolds of the AP, who said he didn’t see any Heat officials in Vegas while LeBron was in meetings.
Can also tell you I currently see basically the entire LeBron brain trust here. Have not seen LeBron OR any member of Heat organization.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 8, 2014
So what does all this mean? It might be good news for Cleveland Cavaliers fans if he was meeting with his “brain trust” and not Nike. If he was meeting with his “brain trust” it could’ve been to discuss his decision and a meeting with the Heat could be to tell them that he is moving on. James’ wife and inner circle, who presumably would be in his “brain trust,” are reportedly pushing him to return home to Cleveland.
Of course the flip side of that is he could be meeting with the Heat to tell them he is staying and discuss their futures together and the rest of free agency.