Reports: LeBron James, agent to meet with Heat's Pat Riley this week
LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul, will meet face-to-face this week with Heat president Pat Riley, according to multiple reports.
USA Today Sports and ESPN.com reported the planned meeting on Sunday, although it's still unclear where it will be held.
James has spent the time since the free agency period opened on July 1 on vacation with his family, and he is set to host a basketball camp in Las Vegas this week. Riley has reportedly been everywhere from Los Angeles to North Carolina recruiting players in recent days.
Reports indicate that Paul has met with at least five teams -- the Cavaliers, LakersMavericks, Rockets and Suns -- to discuss his client's future. Yahoo Sports reported last week that the unrestricted free agent forward could meet with multiple "finalists" as he decides whether or not to re-sign with the Heat.
James suggested in June, after Miami fell to San Antonio in the Finals, that the Heat needed to significantly upgrade their roster, which simply couldn't match up to the Spurs' depth. Since sidestepping questions about his future after the Heat's loss, James has remained quiet about his plans.
"I will deal with my summer when I get to that point," James said after Game 5. "Me and my team will sit down and deal with it. I love Miami. My family loves it. But obviously right now that's not even what I'm thinking about."
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Riley, in response, urged James and fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to return to South Beach and build on the Heat's four consecutive Finals appearances and two titles during the "Big Three" era. He also pledged to "retool" the roster around his star core.
SI.com ranked James, a four-time MVP, as the No. 1 player on our "Top 25 Free Agents of 2014" list after he decided to exercise the early termination option on his contract. Wade, Bosh and Heat forward Udonis Haslem all joined James in opting out this summer, with James said to be seeking a maximum contract.
James, 29, averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game last season, earning All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors.
The NBA's free agency moratorium lifts on Thursday, meaning teams and players can officially consummate contract agreements on that date.
