MIAMI, July 22 -- A YouTube video titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference" appeared on the Miami Heat's official channel for several minutes Wednesday before disappearing, replaced by a team statement calling it a scheduling error. The question of where LeBron James is signing no longer seems like an open one.

The Heat's explanation was prompt. The video was private, unlisted, and never publicly searchable, but a direct link circulated on social media fast enough that the deletion came too late. Teams do not stage and title introductory press conferences for athletes they have not signed. The "scheduling error" framing addresses how the link surfaced, not what the link was called.

James, 41, has been a free agent since July 1...