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NBA: `King` holds court, Wade `intrigued`

International Desk |
Update: 2010-07-02 13:33:48

CLEVELAND: "King" James held court for a second straight day but it was Dwyane Wade rather than LeBron James who had the most tongues wagging as NBA teams continued to woo free agents on Friday.

Miami Heat star Wade started his day meeting with the New York Knicks, and said he came away from a meeting lasting more than two hours "intrigued".

He then met for the second time in as many days with the Chicago Bulls, who are due to join the queue of teams wooing James on Saturday.

Wade declined to say if the Bulls made him an offer, saying only that "things are getting very interesting."

Asked if James` decision would influence his own, Wade was also noncommital.

"I can`t say. We`re both going to make our own decisions," he said.

James, the 25-year-old two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, is the cream of a remarkable crop of 2010 free agents, who began hearing pitches from the teams who want to lure them from their current clubs on Thursday.

James` task is to decide whether to make a move or stay in Cleveland, where he has spent all seven of his NBA seasons but has so far been unable to capture a title.

After hearing from the Nets and Knicks on Thursday, James welcomed the Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers.

But the Cavaliers` brand new coach, Byron Scott, made it clear Friday he thinks James will stay in Ohio.

"I think at the end of the day, he`s going to make the right decision, and he`ll be here in Cleveland for the rest of his career," Scott said.

"His legacy of winning championships in his hometown will be like nothing he`s seen in his life.

"There`s nothing like winning at home. I won three titles in my hometown, and there`s not a better feeling."

In addition to James, Miami have also talked to Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh as they seek another big name to join Wade - if they can keep him in Florida.

"This is a very fluid process," Miami president Pat Riley said. "We`ve had five meetings across the country in the span of 40 hours. We will continue with the process. It`s still early in free agency, but we feel very good with how our presentations have gone thus far."

Phoneix star Stoudemire was headed to New York for a meeting with the Knicks amid reports that the Suns had made contract offers to other players that insured Stoudemire would make a move.

Paul Pierce, meanwhile, has reportedly already agreed to stay with the Boston Celtics, while the Dallas Mavericks were doing their best to keep Dirk Nowitzki.

Mavericks president Donnie Nelson said he made a "significant" contract offer to Nowitzki`s adviser during a meeting Friday.

No free agent signings can be confirmed until July 8.

The wealth of quality free agents available has made for a hectic pursuit of talent.

Bosh, who met with the Houston Rockets in Texas on Thursday before flying to Chicago to talk to the Heat and the Nets, said he felt "like a kid at Christmas".

"You`ve got to enjoy this," said Bosh, who has spent seven seasons in Toronto. But asked if there were any hard offers he said "No, not yet.

"Everything is still pending."

BDST: 8:40 HRS, July 3, 2010

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