Heat mistakenly post LeBron James introductory news conference link

MIAMI, July 22 (UPI) -- The Miami Heat published a link to a "LeBron James introductory press conference," triggering an Internet stir, but said the post was a mistake.

The YouTube post surfaced Tuesday, including the date "July 27." It has since been deleted.

A Heat spokesman that the video was mistakenly made public by the team's social media department, who is preparing for the possibility that James will join the Heat.

James' looming decision of which team he will play for in 2026-27 has still not been made public. The future Hall of Famer made several appearances last week. He said he "wants to compete" at his next destination, but did not provide a shortlist of suitors.

James, who started his career in Cleveland, previously informed teams of his decision to join them just minutes before the announcements became public. He told the Heat he was initially signing there moments before his 2010 announcement -- dubbed The Decision -- aired on ESPN.

The Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams in pursuit of James. Oddsmakers increased the Heat's chances of acquiring the 23-year veteran.

James' agent, Rich Paul, said this week that his client is "not going to be rushed" to make a decision, despite pressure applied from basketball fans and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Silver said at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit on Thursday in New York that he "would like him to make his announcement already" so that the NBA can finish the 2026-27 regular-season schedule.

Silver also said he has his "own inkling" about where James will play, but the information isn't based on anything he heard from Paul or James.

"There's certain stories that I prefer over others, and even on his behalf," Silver said. "But he's going to be 42 this fall. It's amazing what he's done for the sport, for the league, and he deserves exactly what -- the opportunities that were presented to him to be able to make his own decision on what's best for him and his family. So I completely respect that.

"But ... I think there are certain storylines that may be better than others, but I don't want to prejudge it. Let's see what he does."

If James does end up with the Heat, he would join off-season trade acquisition Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo to form a new Big 3 in Miami.

Davion Mitchell, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrew Wiggins are the other players currently penciled in to the Heat's starting lineup, but that would change if James returns to Miami for his record-extending 24th season.

Heat president Pat Riley has said he has been in contact with Paul, but he also does not know where James will land. Antetokounmpo also said last week that he would be "very excited" if he got the chance to join James.

"But I'm just like everybody else -- we don't have all the information," Antetokounmpo said. "All the information is in LeBron James' hand and his family's hands, and he's going to make the best decision for him.

"The history has shown that he's always made good decisions for his career. And I hope if he thinks that the Miami Heat's a good decision for him. I would love for him to be here."