Heat blame LeBron press conference link on YouTube mix-up
Miami said a YouTube listing for a LeBron James introductory press conference was posted by mistake while the team prepared for a possible signing.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
A Miami Heat YouTube page briefly carried a scheduled live stream labeled for a LeBron James introductory press conference, then vanished after the team said it was posted in error, according to ESPN.
The listing was titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” and carried the date July 27, ESPN reported. A Heat spokesperson told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday that the team’s social media staff had been getting ready for the possibility of James signing with Miami and accidentally made the link public.
The post was later deleted, according to ESPN.
The slip landed in the middle of one of the NBA’s biggest free-agent waits. ESPN reported that James is an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018 and has been weighing his choices in recent weeks.
Sources told ESPN that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat are believed to be among the leading teams James is considering. ESPN also reported that other teams have been mentioned as possible suitors, including the Golden State Warriors.
Rich Paul says there is no decision timeline
James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, said earlier Tuesday that he does not know when James will decide where he plans to play next season, according to ESPN.
That leaves Miami’s deleted YouTube listing as a curious blip rather than an announcement. The Heat’s explanation to ESPN was that staff were preparing for a scenario that had not been finalized.
Miami has made clear that it would be open to a reunion. ESPN reported that Heat president Pat Riley said last week that he and newly acquired star Giannis Antetokounmpo would welcome James back to the franchise.
James has history in Miami that needs little dressing up. ESPN noted that he spent four seasons with the Heat and won two NBA championships during that run.
He is entering his 24th NBA season, according to ESPN, and his next move remains unsettled in the information reported so far. The deleted press conference link put Miami in the spotlight for a few hours, but the team’s public position, through its spokesperson to ESPN, is that the post was a mistake tied to preparations for a possible signing.
For now, the free-agent watch continues with the Heat, Cavaliers and 76ers listed by ESPN’s sources as the main teams in the picture, and Golden State among the clubs also being discussed.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.