LeBron has not tipped his hand

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

As he dressed in his spacious corner locker, LeBron James glanced over at the news scrolling across the flat-screen TV on the far wall. The ticker read: “NBA: Kobe Bryant signs three-year contract extension with Los Angeles Lakers.”

Buttoning his shirt following the game in April, roughly one month before his quest for a championship would end awkwardly and two months before becoming The Free Agent Of All Free Agents, James wasn’t a bit surprised.

“Did anyone really think he was leaving?” he asked incredulously. “Kobe’s been there since he was like 17. That’s his home. He wasn’t going anywhere.”

Hmm. Sound like someone you know, ’Bron?

The league’s MVP grinned and bit his top lip. Not saying.

Soon enough, we’ll have his answer.

At the heart of James’ impending free agency, a moment of controlled chaos hyped beyond anything in recent sports memory, is one underlying question: Can he move away from the only place he has ever known?

James hits the market at 12:01 a.m. Thursday as the valedictorian of this historic 2010 free-agent class. He might have already decided where he’ll dribble, drive and dunk next. Even if he has, he’s still going to listen to offers and can’t sign with anyone until July 8.

Depending on whom you believe, the soon-to-be No. 6 is either headed to New York to resurrect the sorry Knicks; or to New Jersey to plot global domination with rap mogul pal Jay-Z and Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov; or to Chicago to follow Michael Jordan’s magnificence; or to Miami to join Olympic teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in a terrifying trifecta; or to Dallas where he could play with buddy Jason Kidd and watch his beloved Cowboys all the time.

Or, he’ll stay in Ohio, kick back in the 40,000-square-foot palace he built not far from the Akron streets where he was raised and continue to play for the Cavaliers.

Right now, nobody knows.

Never before has one player carried such clout into free agency. Despite never winning a championship — or even one game in the finals — James has the league bowing at his expensive sneakers.

Although other teams can’t formally meet with James until Thursday, the Cavs have been in touch with him, agent Leon Rose and business manager Maverick Carter since Cleveland’s season ended. Gilbert and new GM Chris Grant recently visited James at his Bath, Ohio, home, and the Cavs are expected to make a final run at the superstar after the other suitors make their presentations.