The Knicks have waited two years for this night — praying to hear LeBron James say the magic words that “The Chosen One” has chosen New York.
While the Knicks are still clinging to a sliver of hope, they have heard through back channels that James is not likely headed to the Big Apple.
A source connected to James said, “ You should be writing about the Heat,’’ and there are multiple reports saying James is likely to join Pat Riley’s Miami club. The Knicks also believe Cleveland is still in the running and ahead of them in the chase for James.
That speculation will only be fueled by an Us Magazine report that James “has rented six cabanas at the W Hotel South Beach this weekend to celebrate his team decision.”
LEBRON SET TO MAKE LONG-AWAITED DECISION, 9 P.M.
The Knicks believe the location of his announcement — a Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Conn. — means nothing.
It’s down to the Heat, Cavaliers and Knicks, with misdirections spewing all day. The ESPN show begins at 9 p.m., and he’s expected to reveal his choice about 10 minutes into the program.
The Knicks became so frustrated by the lack of feedback they were getting from the James camp, the club nearly dispatched coach Mike D’Antoni to Akron, a source said.
One sign James could be staying in Cleveland is he told organizers not to postpone his annual Kids Bike-a-thon in Akron on Aug. 7, which draws 3,000 Northeast Ohio children.
Yesterday, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces on South Beach, and Riley, the Heat president, is actively trying to woo James to form a “Dream Team.”
The Bulls boosted their lineup by signing Carlos Boozer yesterday, but they appear out of it, along with the Nets.
James’ preference was to stay in Cleveland, but after Bosh spurned a sign-and-trade to join him, he started to reconsider the Knicks and Heat.
When it was learned yesterday afternoon that James will make the announcement in the Metro area, speculation reached new heights that he’s coming to the Knicks.
A source also believes the organizers didn’t realize Greenwich is so close to the Knicks facility.
Fourteen miles? So close, yet so far.
The Knicks remain mostly in the dark. Yesterday, team officials repeatedly called James manager Maverick Carter, but got no response. The Knicks have a press conference for Stoudemire today at the Garden, making for an awkward situation.
According to a team source, James’ agent, Leon Rose, told the Knicks they’d get word shortly before the show, but made no promises.
“It’s nuts, but it’s worth the wait,” one team source said.
Knick fans got giddy by a Tweet from Suns forward Jared Dudley, stating James was going to be a Knick.
Dudley played the past season-and-a-half with Stoudemire, who spoke to James on Tuesday night. However, a source familiar with the conversation said the new Knicks forward didn’t get a read.
“He told Amar’e he’s thinking about it, but he’s also thinking what’s right for him and his family,” the source said. “He’s not sure.”
Stoudemire Tweeted yesterday, “Come join me in NY. We can do something really special. Oh, let’s do it.”
James and Stoudemire can form a solid tandem, and the Knicks would try to trade for Tony Parker at the trade deadline. If not, James can expect the Knicks to go after either Carmelo Anthony or Utah point guard Deron Williams next offseason.
New Cavs coach Byron Scott showed up to watch James scrimmage at his Akron high-school skills camp, but he did not speak with him.
The Heat remain a possible landing spot for James, too, as he, Wade and Bosh can form a “Dream Team” in Miami. They all can get max contracts as long as the Heat trade Michael Beasley — and Riley pulled out all the stops yesterday.
Wade and Bosh each said during their Miami announcements they would take less money to play with James.
“LeBron is going to make his own decision and we will all be in front of our televisions [tonight] to find out,” Wade said.
Bosh was reluctant to give James any more encouragement.
“I am going to let him do his thing,” Bosh said. “I am not going to mess with him. He’s got enough people in his ear.”
marc.berman@nypost.com