“Many around the league are beginning to connect the dots that James may not sign another contract with the Lakers because he may not sign another contract at all,” wrote reporter Brett Siegel, offering a possible explanation for the 40-year-old forward’s recent career decisions.

"The King" himself, LeBron James. Four teams are currently leading the sweepstakes for the future Hall of Famer, the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and even his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, whom he has already served two stints with.

Well that was a waste of time. After a rumor-fueled summer thus far, LeBron James is apparently shutting down any trade or buyout talk, at least for the near future: according to The Athletic's Dan Woike and Joe Vardon,

James was reportedly asked by ESPN if he wanted to share thoughts on picking up his $52.6 million player option and speculation surrounding a supposed strained relationship with ownership, but he declined. "I ain't got nothing to talk about," ESPN's Dave McMenamin said James told him off camera.

James spoke on his Mind The Game podcast about how inspiring Jordan has been to him. Then he wrote out the headline for us: "I can see the headline already: 'LeBron wants to play with Michael Jordan,'" James said.