"They didn't sell for 10 billion dollars for LeBron not to be there" - Dwyane Wade shuts down LeBron James' Lakers exit talks
This offseason has already given us plenty to talk about. From blockbuster trades to unexpected shakeups, the league's landscape shifted in a matter of weeks. Kevin Durant ended up with the Houston Rockets, a few key pieces got reshuffled, like Desmond Bane, Cam Johnson and the latest headline grabber, Bradley Beal, who joined forces with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden with the Los Angeles Clippers in what looks like their final push for something big.
But even with all that movement, the biggest headline didn't come from a trade. It came from pure speculation. At least for now…
Because while teams were busy retooling and fans were catching their breath, talk started circulating that LeBron Jamesmight be on the move. Again.
And just as those talks started gaining traction, one of the guys who knows him best, his old running mate and Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, stepped in and shut it all down in a matter of seconds.
"Man, listen, they got nothing else to talk about. Bron is always going to be a story for the media. Not saying it's bad, at all, if you know how to use the media, it's good for you…" Wade stated in the latest episode of "The Timeout" podcast.
"But, at the end of the day, c'mon man, the Lakers just sold for $10 billion, they didn't sell for $10 billion for LeBron not to be there," King's longtime friend and former teammate added.
The biggest sports sale in the U.S.
If there was ever going to be a time where some kind of exit made sense — maybe one final push somewhere else, with a young contender or a ready-made superteam — this felt like it. LeBron's still playing at a ridiculous level for someone pushing 41, but Father Time always shows up. So the idea that he'd want to script the ending on his terms wasn't all that far-fetched.
But according to Wade, all that chatter got buried the moment the Buss family cashed in.
The longtime owners of the Los Angeles Lakers entered into an agreement to sell the majority stake in the franchise to billionaire Mark Walter, with the team valued at an eye-popping $10 billion. That's the highest number ever for the United States' pro sports team.
It's technically not a full-scale sale since the Buss family will also retain a minority stake, just over 15%, for the time being. Jeanie will also remain the team governor and continue running day-to-day operations, as per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Wade made it simple for even the regular fan, this is not a rebuild and no one drops this kind of money to lose the man who is still running the show.What is next for Bron and the Purple and Gold?
So now it looks like the speculation can die down. LeBron isn't heading anywhere. He's not chasing rings in a new city. He's staying put in L.A., running it back with what might be one of the more intriguing lineups he's had in years.
Luka Doncic is still right there next to him and they've added Deandre Ayton to bring some force and balance inside. There's still work to be done, no doubt. And the competitive Western Conference won't make it easy. But it's clear that the Lakers aren't looking to hit reset just yet.
And as far as Wade's concerned, there was never really a story here. Just media filling space, tossing LeBron's name in the mix because, well, that's what happens every summer.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys sign TE Jake Ferguson to $52M deal as Micah Parsons continues without extension
The Dallas Cowboys got a deal done at training camp, but not the one fans are looking for. The Cowboys announced Sunday morning that they have signed tight end Tony Ferguson to a four-year, $52 million extension. All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, meanwhile, remains without a deal as he seeks an extension entering the final year of his rookie contract. The deal for Ferguson makes him the highest-paid tight end in Cowboys history and the seventh-highest paid tight end in the NFL, according to the Cowboys. He signed the extension with one year remaining on his four-year rookie contract that scheduled to pay him $3.4 million in 2025. A fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ferguson was a part-time starter as a rookie and has been Dallas' No. 1 tight end in the two seasons since. He emerged as one of quarterback Dak Prescott's favorite targets in 2023 with 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. Ferguson's production dropped last season as he tallied 59 catches for 494 yards without a touchdown. That still led Cowboys tight ends and was the good for the third-highest production among all Cowboys pass catchers behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys bolstered their receiving corps with the addition of former Pittsburgh Steeler George Pickens in the offseason. Ferguson projects to remain as a top target for Prescott. Jerry Jones jeered by fans over lack of Parsons progress Parsons, meanwhile remains without a contract extension as the Cowboys prepare to practice in pads for the first time on Sunday. The absence of his extension remains the top story at Cowboys camp and one of the biggest training camp stories in the NFL. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was greeted with boos and calls from fans to "pay Micah" as he addressed fans during a public training camp session on Saturday. Jones' address to fans took place days after his Monday news conference in which he swiped at the availability of both Parsons and quarterback Dak Prescott while addressing Parsons' contract status at the start of training camp. Just because we sign him doesn't mean we're going to have him," Jones said of Parsons. "He was hurt six games last year. Seriously. I remember signing a player for the highest-paid at the position in the league and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year — Dak Prescott. "So there's a lot of things you can think about, just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money.' Parsons was not "hurt six games last year." He missed four of 17 games with injury. In his previous three seasons, Parsons played in 50 of 51 regular-season Cowboys games. He's a three-time All-Pro and has made the Pro Bowl after each of his four seasons. Parsons is seeking a deal that will make him among the highest-paid defenders in football after fellow All-Pro pass rushers Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt signed contracts in the offseason paying them $40-plus million per season. Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension ahead of Steelers training camp that set the new bar. Parsons reported to training camp without his extension, but has been a limited participant since practices started on Tuesday. He watched Wednesday's session from the sideline with back tightness, but declined to call himself a hold-in. Training camp escalates in intensity starting Sunday as the Cowboys practice in pads for the first time.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rashawn Slater agrees to four-year, $114-million deal with the Chargers
Rashawn Slater, a former first-round draft pick and one of the leaders on the Chargers offensive line, is staying in L.A. for the long haul. Slater has agreed to a four-year, $114-million contract extension, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Slater, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro in 2021, will be paid out $92 million guaranteed, ESPN and NFL Media reported. Read more: Is Tuli Tuipulotu the next Joey Bosa for the Chargers? Edge rusher 'does it all' Working as Justin Herbert's blindside protector, Slater started every game last season and played a valuable role in helping the Chargers set a franchise record for the fewest offensive turnovers (eight) in a season. He finished last season with the second-best overall grade and the third-best pass-blocking grade at offensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus. Slater's tireless efforts certainly won over Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has Slater in his exclusive "Elite Nine" club on the team that includes stars Khalil Mack, Derwin James Jr. and Herbert, among others. 'Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he's trying to accomplish for himself and his family,' said Harbaugh last month about Slater's push for a contract extension. 'We're all in support.' Times staff writers Sam Farmer and Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sabres avoid arbitration by signing defenseman Connor Timmins to 2-year, $4.4 million contract
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres avoided a salary arbitration hearing with Conor Timmins by signing the newly acquired defenseman to a two-year, $4.4 million contract on Sunday. The 26-year-old Timmins was a restricted free agent and acquired with defenseman Isaac Beliveau in a trade that sent blue-liner Connor Clifton to the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 28. The Sabres are Timmins' fifth team in six NHL seasons since the 2017 second-round draft pick broke into the league with Colorado in 2019-20. He finished last season with a career-high three goals and 15 points in 68 games split between Pittsburgh and Toronto. Overall, he has six goals and 46 points in 159 games. Timmins' signing leaves the Sabres with goalie Devon Levi as their only unsigned restricted free agent. ___ AP NHL:
