NBA: James' decision due Thursday

ESPN reported that premier NBA free agent LeBron James will announce his plans on the network Thursday night at 9 p.m. in an hourlong special.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reported Tuesday that James' "representatives" contacted the network and asked for the unusual arrangement. Broussard said ESPN officials confirmed the request but added the network was not told what James' decision will be.

James is believed to be considering staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers or joining the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, or New Jersey Nets.

James didn't have much else to say Tuesday, but the NBA's most-prized free agent opened a Twitter account and posted his first message on the social networking site.

"Hello World, the Real King James is in the Building," said the tweet on the kingjames feed, which by 6 p.m. had more than 128,000 followers.

Among the top free agents, Amar'e Stoudemire has agreed to join the New York Knicks, and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies), and Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks) have said they will remain with their teams.

But the destinations of James and fellow superstars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade remain undecided - or, at least, unannounced. That has created a bottleneck among some of the league's other free agents.

The Nets, for instance, have talked to Knicks forward David Lee and would also consider going after Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer if James rejects them.

The Knicks, for their part, had planned to bring point guard Raymond Felton in for a visit this week, but that reportedly was put on hold. The Knicks also have an interest in Mike Miller if they come up empty with James or Wade.

76ers 86, Celtics 69. Jodie Meeks scored 18 points, and rookie Evan Turner added 13 as the 76ers' summer-league squad routed Boston in the Orlando Summer League.

The Sixers also started Marreese Speights (12 points, 11 rebounds), Jrue Holiday (10 points, five assists), and former Brigham Young center Trent Plaisted (four points) in posting their second straight victory at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando.

The Celtics got 14 points each from Luke Harangody and Jaycee Carroll. Lenape High/Rider product Ryan Thompson had four points off Boston's bench, and La Salle product Rodney Green added three.

The Sixers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday afternoon.

Clippers' coach. The Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement in principle with Vinny Del Negro to become the team's head coach.

The team said Tuesday night in an e-mail that more details would be announced Wednesday.

Del Negro was fired by the Chicago Bulls in May after going 82-82 in two seasons and making two postseason appearances.

Mike Dunleavy quit as Clippers coach midway through last season, and his assistant, Kim Hughes, finished the season as interim coach.

Of note. Two years ago, the Orlando Magic tried to sign Chris Duhon in free agency only to watch him go to New York. They finally got their man when Duhon reached an agreement with the Magic for a $15 million, four-year deal, his agent said. . . . The Detroit Pistons signed former Georgetown center Greg Monroe, the No. 7 overall pick in last month's draft.