It was only a few short weeks before speculation, sources, and signings filled the void left by the conclusion of the NBA Finals. And this year’s free agency frenzy, which officially began July 1, was as buzzworthy as a Hollywood blockbuster thanks to LeBron James packing his bags for sunny Los Angeles.
While James rocked the world of basketball by coming to a quick decision, agreeing to a four-year, $154 million deal with the Lakers hours after free agency tipped off, his former teammate Dwyane Wade wasn’t shocked by his defection from Cleveland. The current free agent, who reportedly will decide between rejoining the Heat for another year or retiring from the NBA, recently told Complex Sports how happy he was for his pal to head west while also discussing his new lifetime deal with Chinese basketball brand Li-Ning.
“One thing about this league, if you have been around it long enough, is that you don’t get surprised by anything,” Wade said. “Los Angeles was the spot for [LeBron] and I’m his friend so I’m happy for him.”
The Lakers landing LeBron, of course, wasn’t the only interesting move in July. San Antonio Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard was shipped to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. The Golden State Warriors landed DeMarcus Cousins in a signing few saw coming. And the most recent high profile baller on the move was Carmelo Anthony.
“My thing with my friends is their happiness and that's all I care about and I hope that's all theY care about for me. You just want your friends to be in a good place."
Anthony, who played a single campaign with the Thunder last season, was shipped out of Oklahoma City due to cap space issues and his role on the team. The shift originally sent Melo to the Atlanta Hawks, who then waived him, allowing him to go to any team with the best offer. Anthony scooped a $25.4 million buyout from Atlanta before signing a veteran’s minimum deal of $2.4 million with the Houston Rockets, joining Chris Paul and James Harden. With Anthony now ready to wear a Rockets jersey there are a new set of questions about his role.
Wade spent time with Melo on the 2004 and 2008 Olympic squads and the two are friends, part the famous “Banana Boat Crew” along with LeBron and CP3. Wade had kind words for his fellow vacationer and friend about where his career would take him next.
“My thing with my friends is their happiness and that's all I care about and I hope that's all they care about for me,” Wade said. “You just want your friends to be in a good place. Wherever he is going to play this season, that’s the place I’ll root for.”
While his friends inked deals with new squads, Wade signed his own unique pact this summer, securing a lifetime sponsorship agreement with Li-Ning. The relationship goes back to 2012 when Wade took a chance on the brand hoping make an impact in America that wanted to attach itself to the future Hall of Famer.
“I was just turning 30 years old and I wanted to challenge myself and try something different and I knew there was going to be a lot of hard work to be with this brand but to have a brand like Li-Ning to come in and believe in me was something that I appreciated,” Wade said.
