NBA notebook

It’s Miami for Wade, Bosh

They hope James opts to join them

Associated Press / July 8, 2010

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Dwyane Wade already had decided that if he were to stay with the Miami Heat, he would have either LeBron James or Chris Bosh as a teammate.

He got Bosh.

He might get both.

Ending months of speculation, Wade and Bosh made their decisions official yesterday, saying their trip through the world of NBA free agency would end in Miami. Wade is staying, Bosh is coming, and now they’re waiting — like the rest of the league — to see what James will do tonight when he unveils his plans.

“I’m so glad it’s over,’’ Wade said. “I had to do what was best for me. And I know I did that.’’

Wade does not know what the terms of the next contract he’ll sign with Miami will be, nor when he’ll sign the pact. Bosh doesn’t have terms of his next deal done either. It’s all contingent on what James says tonight, and Wade insisted he knows nothing about what the two-time MVP will decide.

“I won’t speak to him again until he makes his decision,’’ Wade said. “And when it’s over, I will congratulate him. But I will be watching.’’

Wade is already thrilled with how free agency played out. He, James, and Bosh were the three kingpins of this long-hyped market, a trio of All-Stars who entered the league together seven years ago and structured their last contracts just to hit the open market together this summer, the last under the current terms of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

They’ve talked often about playing together.

“I expect us to compete for a championship,’’ Bosh told ESPN. “I think both Dwyane and I, we both wanted an opportunity where right away we would be competing. We’re ready to sacrifice a lot of things in order to do that. It’s not about the money. It’s not about anything else except for winning.’’

Word to come early

With what’s being dubbed “The Decision’’ nearing, the Cavaliers yesterday took one final, and perhaps desperate, run at convincing the biggest free agent to stay with them.

New Cavs coach Byron Scott showed up unannounced at James’s summer camp in Akron, Ohio, and spent an hour watching James and several Cleveland players work out, as everyone continues to wait for tonight.

Norby Williamson, ESPN’s vice president of production, said the announcement will come during the first 10 minutes of the hour-long broadcast. Jim Gray will handle the introduction, announcement, and questions. Williamson said Gray was hand-picked by James’s team, who approached the network last week about the special.

Boozer goes to Bulls

A person familiar with the negotiations said two-time All-Star forward Carlos Boozer agreed to a deal with the Bulls and is leaving the Jazz after six seasons. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract doesn’t become official until today, did not reveal the terms. If James doesn’t end up in Chicago, the Bulls at least know they’re not coming away empty-handed after landing Boozer.

Extension for Durant

Kevin Durant posted an update on his Twitter page saying he’d agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Thunder. He can’t sign the deal until today and team spokesman Brian Facchini said he could not confirm the deal under NBA rules. The reigning NBA scoring leader is signed with the Thunder through next season under his original rookie contract, which would pay him about $5 million next year . . . The salary cap for next season has been set at $58 million, a higher number than projected . . . The Kings signed rookie center DeMarcus Cousins, the No. 5 pick in the draft out of Kentucky. Cousins can earn about $7 million in the first two years of the deal, and the Kings have separate team options for the third and fourth seasons . . . Golden State’s top draft pick, forward Ekpe Udoh, has a wrist injury that will keep him out of summer league. The No. 6 overall draft pick out of Baylor was hurt during a supervised workout Sunday . . . The Clippers officially introduced Vinny Del Negro as their coach, two months after he was fired by the Bulls.