“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.

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,