As reported earlier in the week by Chris Sheridan, LeBron James is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Standing by his source, all signs indicate that it is not a matter of it, but when James is ready to share his decision with the public.
While the rest of us were eagerly anticipating a formal announcement all day, the four time MVP tended to his own affairs. As the host of the LeBron James Skills Academy, James was in attendance at the basketball camp in Las Vegas. Not only did he participate in pick up games with the kids enrolled in the camp, but he was also joined as a spectator by Dwyane Wade. Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN was on hand with this tidbit:
LeBron James is here at his basketball camp with …. Dwyane Wade
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 10, 2014
Despite showing support for his friend and teammate of the past four years, Wade offered nothing more to share in the timing of LeBron’s pending announcement. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Dwyane Wade and LeBron are expected to return on a flight back to Miami together.
Dwyane Wade expected to be on a flight back to Miami with LeBron James tonight, league sources told Yahoo. They had been together in Vegas. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
With intentions of being at the World Cup Final this weekend, the flight to Miami could very well just be a passing stop. Chris Broussard of ESPN provides further details on the trip:
I’m told James’s plan – to fly from Vegas to Miami to Brazil – has been planned for more than a month, and that nothing should b read n2 it
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 11, 2014
Considering that this time table is in the hands of LeBron James, it’s very possible that there is no definitive date of when he’ll announce his decision. It’s very possible that he waits until after he gets back from the World Cup in Brazil, but it could happen at any given time.
Paul Pierce Wins $60k Competing In The World Series Of Poker
Paul Pierce is having a really good week despite being a free agent. He has been competing in the World Series Of Poker this week, and according to Pierce he won about $60,000 on the first day.
Headed out ended day not bad 60k check out where that placed me on day 1 http://t.co/nNfvB3jaER see ya on day 2
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 8, 2014
After Day 2 his earnings jumped to $100k, and as of now he is sitting at $160k.
Just won a huge pot 160 and counting
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 11, 2014
With all of the success Pierce is having at the WSOP, it’s easy to see why he seems to be in no rush to find a landing spot in the NBA next season.
Other News From Around The League:
- P.J. Tucker reached an agreement on a new 3-year deal with the Phoenix Suns. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic: “Suns coaches, teammates and executives considered P.J. Tucker to be the heart of their team last season, and the franchise backed that opinion of his value Thursday by agreeing to keep him in Phoenix on a three-year contract worth up to $16.5million.About $3.8 million of Tucker’s third-year salary will not be guaranteed. Tucker has not signed the contract.”
- Marc Stein of ESPN reports that Beno Udrih agrees to re-sign with Memphis: “Sources told ESPN.com that Udrih, who was claimed off waivers from New York last season by the Grizzlies, will sign a two-year deal to stay with Memphis. The contract will start at the league’s bi-annual exception valued at $2.1 million.”
- Carmelo Anthony is reportedly still looking at the Chicago Bulls as a potential team. According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports: “While all
signs pointed to Anthony agreeing to a five-year, $129.5 million deal with the Knicks by now, there has been nothing — no decision, and no communication with the Knicks, as team president Phil Jackson revealed Thursday. At Summer League in Las Vegas, Jackson told reporters that he’d texted Anthony since their free-agent meeting, but Anthony hasn’t responded. The team that has been viewed as the strongest suitor for Anthony, Chicago, hasn’t been apprised of his intentions, either — but a league source told CBSSports.com Thursday that the Bulls and the Lakers remain under consideration for the seven-time All-Star.”
Esau is a regular contributor to Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on Twitter.
With all of the success Pierce is having at the WSOP, it’s easy to see why he seems to be in no rush to find a landing spot in the NBA next season.
That is 60k in tournament chips, not cash.
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Pierce really didn’t win 60K. He had a 10K entry fee and also put out 30K to get the 60K on Day 1.
However, Day 3 seems to have gone well too. He’s not worried about his future (with Nets).
He’s also playing Poker when it comes to negotiations with Nets, who don’t want to pay him more than the Market price.
Pierce has yet to show he’s worth more than the 6-8 M Nets are publicly willing to pay for 2 years. Pierce’s agent said his client wants 8-10 M (not very far apart).
No one in Nets FO is allowed to discuss matter (Poker 201).
Pierce however was quoted yesterday as saying that everything will happen after LeBron/Melo make their decisions.
Nets can’t afford to let Paul leave, but they can’t let that be known if they don’t want to overpay as they have done in past for the likes of Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries. Pierce is Plan A for Nets, but Plans C,D or E for a few other teams.