LeBron James to announce pick in made-for-TV event

AKRON, Ohio — More than two years of hype, drama, conjecture and expectation have dwindled to a few more hours.

LeBron James' big moment is here — not as an NBA champion, but as a free agent. There will be no parade, no ring ceremony, no banner raising.

Instead, on a prime-time, made-for-TV special his handlers contracted with ESPN, James will announce Thursday night where he'll play next season and beyond.

James has kept everyone waiting. It's time to come clean.

"I'll be watching," said fellow free-agent superstar Dwyane Wade, who agreed to re-sign with Miami on Wednesday and may be trying to recruit James. "We've scheduled it. I'll make sure I'm in front of the TV tomorrow at 9 to watch like everyone else."

ESPN reported late Wednesday night that sources had James "leaning" toward signing with the Heat.

James will announce his plans within the first 10 minutes of the special, Norby Williamson, ESPN's vice president of production, told The Associated Press. He said sportscaster Jim Gray, who was hand-picked by James' team, will handle the introduction, announcement and initial questions. A person familiar with the plans tells the AP the interview will take place at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Conn.

Bosh will join Wade

in Miami

Wade says Chris Bosh made his decision very easy to stay with the Miami Heat.

Bosh told Wade that he ultimately picked Miami. Wade decided to stay with the Heat a nanosecond later. And they told the world on Wednesday, the biggest move yet in this hyped NBA free-agent period.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Wade says he does not know what the terms of his next contract will be nor does he know when the paper will be signed. That depends on what James decides Thursday night.

"I'm so glad it's over," Wade said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I had to do what was best for me. And I know I did that."

Notes

• A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that Carlos Boozer, a two-time All-Star forward, agreed to a deal with Chicago and is leaving the Utah Jazz after six seasons. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract doesn't become official until Thursday, did not reveal the terms, reportedly a five-year deal.

• Kevin Durant didn't go for a spectacle in announcing where he'll be for the next five years.

Instead, Durant simply posted an update on his Twitter page, saying he had agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant can't sign the deal until Thursday and a team spokesman said he could not confirm the deal under NBA rules.

"Exstension for 5 more years wit the thunder ... God Is Great, me and my family came a long way ... I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!" Durant tweeted.

Durant's spokeswoman, Mary Ford, said he will receive the maximum deal possible, $85 million over five years. She said the contract has no opt-out clause after the fourth year.

• Ray Allen confirmed to The Associated Press that he has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract to return to the Boston Celtics. Allen, who turns 35 this month, was a free agent.

• The league increased the salary cap for the 2010-11 season by 0.6 percent to $58.04 million.