LeBron's final act as a free agent ends with a flourish

So the finish will be a grand spectacle, a reality TV show to signal the end of what evolved into an exhausting, captivating and at times annoying seven-day mini-series. A one-hour primetime special created just to announce, "I'm signing with so-and-so," although the bigger mystery is what LeBron James will do with the other 59 minutes and 56 seconds.

Well. The entire free agent high-speed chase for LeBron has played out like a made-for-TV drama, so why should the finale be any different? Really, it's become a parody: Major media outlets are reporting that LeBron will actually appear on the show and will have something very important to say. And multiple well-placed sources with extremely close ties to the LeBron camp -- and a few sources who admittedly are just taking a wild guess -- say LeBron could be re-signing with the Cavaliers. Or maybe he won't, according to other high-ranking sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

Obviously, this televised agreement with ESPN was made because LeBron and the network are clearly suffering from underexposure.

Anyway, to the topic at hand. The hunch here? He's staying with the Cavs. Those are the strong indicators, anyway. The only thing stranger than a one-hour show to announce nothing has changed (meaning, he's still a Cav) is a one-hour show devoted to kicking a battered city in the groin. Everybody knows that the best way to leave Cleveland, a city used to never being asked to the dance, is to slip away while nobody's watching. Also known as the Art Modell maneuver.

Only LeBron knows for sure, and he can pull a surprise, but it's looking good for Cleveland. Remember, in the last few days, LeBron was pressing Chris Bosh to accept a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers. That sounds like LeBron had his mind made up to stay home, and was trying to help the organization pull off a blockbuster. Instead, Bosh is headed to Miami to join Dwyane Wade, perhaps giving LeBron incentive to beat Miami next season.

It's also about image, both LeBron's and the city's, and re-signing with the Cavaliers will do wonders for both. Remember, as a businessman who makes his millions through the public's trust, LeBron can reap plenty of goodwill by opting for the hard road and staying home.

And no doubt, staying in Cleveland is definitely the harder road. It means LeBron would surrender the chance to play next to Derrick Rose, a better player than anyone on the Cleveland roster, and revive the legacy built by his hero Michael Jordan in Chicago. It means LeBron resisted the urge to form a Supreme Team by joining Wade and Bosh in Miami. It means LeBron stiffed New York, where the bright lights and Madison Avenue beckoned.

Really, what advantage does Cleveland have over those three cities? None, really. Cleveland is a sleepy Rust Belt city swelling with proud and fine people, but without the spiffy amenities and the opportunities to win as the others. Nobody in his right mind would choose Cleveland over Rush Street and Broadway and South Beach. Except for someone like LeBron.

So he could come off looking like a hero, and you can almost hear his explanation now: "Winning one championship in Cleveland, a place with a battered heart, is like winning three in New York." And you can see the tears streaming down millions of cheeks in Cleveland, enough to create a new lake.

LeBron wants to win a title -- don't believe folks who say he doesn't -- but he's just as concerned with his brand. That's not to say LeBron, Inc. would experience a stock hit if he went to the Knicks; quite the contrary, actually. It's just that LeBron's identity lies in Cleveland, and that counts for something. He would never own New York -- too many sports heroes (Jeter, Namath, Babe, etc.) came before him -- but he would instantly become a folk hero in his homeland. That counts for something.

Finally, there's the community. And before we mention community, let's make something clear: LeBron is from Akron, not Cleveland. The two places are not one in the same. Leaving the Cavs wouldn't necessarily mean LeBron would turn his back on Akron. But the folks in Akron, and especially the neighborhood kids who LeBron has adopted, identify more with the Cavaliers. Doesn't sound like a whole lot, admittedly, but it's all part of the package to keep LeBron "home."

He will let us in on the secret at 9 p.m. Thursday, and there is one prediction we can safely make, without the help of sources, and that prediction is this: The chase will mercifully end.

And that's the best announcement of all.

Shaun Powell is a veteran NBA writer and columnist. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

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