Update
Thursday 11:00 ET
Cavs beatwriter Brian Windhorst (Cleveland Plain Dealer) sighs the sound of surrender.
LeBron, as is plain now, has told people he's going to MIA. But as I've said until he or Maverick Carter go on the record it is what it is.
Thursday 6:00 ET
Yahoo reports James isn't just "leaning" towards Miami but allegedly spent part of Wednesday evening contacting other free agents about the possibility of joining the Heat (at obviously minimum wages):
LeBron James’ inner circle told multiple NBA officials and players Wednesday night that the two-time MVP is leaning toward joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
James’ representatives spent part of Wednesday calling free agents to assess their interest in helping strengthen the Heat roster. James’ camp, sources said, went so far as to propose scenarios where the Heat would trade forward Michael Beasley to create additional salary-cap space to sign a complementary player. In those conversations, the representatives spoke only of Miami as the destination for James.
[However,] suspicion lingered in the league whether this was a clear affirmation of James’ intent or a misdirection play designed to generate suspense for his primetime TV announcement. James will announce at 9 p.m. ET Thursday whether he will play for the Heat,Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets.
Thursday 1:45 ET
Is He really coming after all?
Chris Broussard - Sources with knowledge of the situation indeed saying LeBron will join Wade and Bosh in Miami, barring a late change of heart
If this story broke in New York -- where league offices are headquartered -- then said "sources" could be league employees with access to preliminary paperwork, i.e., tenders, contracts etc.
