The Miami Heat briefly set off a wave of speculation Wednesday after a team spokesperson confirmed the organization had accidentally published a YouTube video that appeared to tease LeBron James’ return to the franchise.
The video, a scheduled livestream titled as an introductory press conference for James and set for July 27, appeared on the Heat’s channel Tuesday night before being taken down, leaving fans to wonder whether James might be headed back to the team where he won two championships.
A team spokesperson told Reuters the upload was a mistake made while preparing materials in case James does eventually sign with Miami.
Read more: NBA: LeBron James leaves Lakers after eight seasons (with video)
The mix-up lands at a pivotal moment in James’ career. After announcing last month that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, his next destination has become the biggest storyline of the NBA offseason, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and the Heat all considered strong contenders for his services.
The speculation has even made its way into sportsbooks, with BetOnline Sports & Casino taking bets on when James will reveal his decision. July 24 is currently the most heavily backed date, and Miami is the favorite among possible landing spots.
Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent and friend, cautioned against expecting a quick resolution during a podcast episode released earlier this week. Speaking on “Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul,” Paul said the decision is entirely James’ to make and that no external pressure would speed up the timeline.
