LeBron James’ long-awaited meeting with Pat Riley and the Miami Heat is taking place at 3:00PM PST in Las Vegas. Here’s a run-down of everything we know in advance of the talk that will help decide LeBron’s second decision.
After it was initially reported that Riley flew to Sin City for a Tuesday meeting with James, ESPN’s Chris Broussard clarified that it’s going down this afternoon.
Today's Meeting btwn LeBron and Riley is at 3 pm in Vegas
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 9, 2014
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Dwyane Wade was originally said to be among the Heat contingency that would pitch James, but it turns out the meeting will be a more personal affair.
Sources: Today's meeting will consist of Pat Riley, LeBron James and Rich Paul, James's agent.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 9, 2014
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Despite all recent momentum in the LeBron sweepstakes seemingly pointing towards the Cleveland Cavaliers, Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski says the Heat’s presentation to James won’t be some lavish recruitment.
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
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There’s a belief that Rich Paul, James’ agent, is the person in LeBron’s camp most pushing for him to return to Cleveland. Sam Amico of FOX Sports says Paul set up the meeting with Riley and company, too.
Interesting aside to LeBron's meeting today w Pat Riley … I am told it was requested by LeBron agent Rich Paul. Not Riley or LeBron.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 9, 2014
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With news that the Heat’s angle will be one of financial planning and roster building as opposed to all-out glitz, Riley will surely touch on the additions of Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger. However, a current player close to James told Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick that LeBron would hardly be impressed by those acquisitions.
I spoke to a player who is close to LeBron… He laughed at the notion that Heat's recent moves would impress LeBron…. (1/2)
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) July 9, 2014
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… (2/2) That player's belief is Miami would have been better off holding cap space to sell LeBron on prospect of something bigger.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) July 9, 2014
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With that and the Cavaliers’ timeline in mind, James might deem it most prudent to sign a short-term deal with the Heat. David Aldridge of TNT certainly makes that option seem appealing given the quality of coming free agent classes.
Let's say LeBron takes a short, two-year deal to stay in Miami and keep the pressure on Riley & Co. This is, (cont) https://t.co/87s312Km9s
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 9, 2014
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