And the winner is …
Tune in tomorrow night at 9 on ESPN. That’s when LeBron James announces his historic decision, with the proceeds of the one-hour show going to charity, a source confirmed.
It is another bizarre twist to the James Sweepstakes, with the Cavaliers remaining favorites with the Knicks still in the hunt.
The reported agreement of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh heading to Miami could lead James to join them, although it seems unlikely. For a “Dream Team” to be formed each player would have to take less than the max.
James could also join Chicago but would go alone without another star, making the Knicks more appealing and the Bulls less likely since LeBron advisor William Wesley was removed from the decision-making process.
James has at least considered the idea of the Knicks after their clutch signing of five-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire and 2011 cap space that could net either Carmelo Anthony or Tony Parker. Stoudemire said he planned on courting James.
Yesterday’s development that Bosh was not willing to join James in Cleveland in a sign-and-trade could hurt Cleveland’s chances, but he may stay anyway.
It is unclear if the six teams James met with will be debriefed beforehand or be treated like a state secret to hike ratings. James’ group contacted ESPN officials Monday about the idea, and the clincher was offering to donate the proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of America.
There was speculation James originally was going to announce his decision at his Akron high school skills camp, which concludes today. The change to ESPN could be a better sign for the Knicks and Nets, but a source said James won’t be in the New York or Bristol, Conn., studios.
Rumors yesterday that James manager Maverick Carter and Akron advisor Randy Mims would come to New York today were shot down by the Knicks. James created a new twitter account and website yesterday – potential signs things are changing in his life.
James wanted to play with Bosh in Cleveland and he could stay with the Cavs — Bosh or no Bosh. A source confirmed to The Post that the Raptors and Cavaliers have the outline for a sign-and-trade, but Bosh is holding out because he wants to play in a city better than Cleveland.
Bosh preferred to play with Wade in Miami.
Yesterday, the Knicks were still trying to find out their standing with James while monitoring the Wade situation. They cannot move on to lower-level free agents until James’ decision comes down tomorrow night.
A Knicks official said of LeBron and Wade, “I think we are still in there.”
However, another source close to Wade, said, “I don’t think he wants to live in New York.”
The James-Bosh-Wade triangle is holding up the Knicks and the league.
“My guys are still weighing everything,” Wade/Bosh agent Henry Thomas told The Post yesterday. “They received a lot of information last week and they are carefully evaluating it. They have both taken this process very seriously and want to feel comfortable that they have considered everything in view of all of the factors that are important to them. It is fair to say that for both of them, coming to decision has been a bit more difficult than they anticipated.”
Wade, a Chicago native, met on consecutive days with the Bulls last week. He also met with the Knicks at Chicago’s Peninsula Hotel after which he said, “I will have to say I’m intrigued.”
Stoudemire, whose press conference is tomorrow, said Monday he would reach out to both James and Wade to see if they wanted to come to New York.
“Amar’e is friends with a lot of players,” his agent Happy Walters said. “During dinner [Monday], he had half the guys in the league texting him they wanted to come there with him.”
On Saturday, Stoudemire and James will attend the New York wedding of Carmelo Anthony, who is a free agent in 2011 — when the Knicks could have cap room for another max contract. Reports yesterday said Anthony could sign a three-year, $60 million extension very soon. Anthony may be waiting to see if the Knicks can add James.
Stoudemire has said he will try to recruit Anthony as a free agent.
If they don’t get James or Wade, the Knicks would like to add a sharpshooter — Mike Miller, Ray Allen or Kyle Korver — and a point guard such as Raymond Felton, Luke Ridnour and Orlando’s Jason Williams.
marc.berman@nypost.com