The 10 Least Likely Sports Stars To Leave Their Current Teams

Lebron James has yet to sign a contract that would ensure his return to Cleveland next season. While this is still a possibility, the chances he may go to another NBA team still exist.

Cleveland would love to keep their star at home, and James would like to stay home. There are other teams licking their chops to get James to play for their franchise.

Many NBA teams are only one superstar away from an NBA Championship and James could be that guy for their team.

I don't believe James will leave.

He grew up in Ohio and wants to stay in Cleveland. The Cavaliers will work out a new deal and keep James's sponsors happy as well.

All that being said, there are many sports icons that have been on a team for a long time. Some may never leave their current team. Here is a look at the top-10 sports icons that are least likely to leave their current team.

10. Dwayne Wade - Miami Heat

Dwayne Wade was selected as the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Miami. He was named to the All-Rookie team in that first season in 2003.

Since then, Wade has been named to the All-Star team the following six seasons. He led the Heat to their first NBA Championship in franchise history, beating Dallas in 2006.

Wade is the all-time leading scorer and all-time assists leader in Miami history.

While basketball has a high turnover rate amongst players, Wade has become the staple of Miami basketball.

Wade does a lot of charity work in the South Florida area, including a variety of community outreach programs.

Wade has established himself as the face of Miami, both on and off the court.

9. Alexander Ovechkin - Washington Capitals

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin is one of the greatest current hockey players.

He was the first player to win the Art Ross Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy. He is also the first player to win them all in one season.

With the NHL's salary cap decreasing next year, the Capitals could have a problem, but they will make sure to hold on to their captain.

Ovechkin plays on a team where he is the sole leader and carries the Caps on his back-he likes the pressure and will remain in Washington.

8. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant is the only player on this list that was not drafted by his current team. Bryant was the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Titles from 2000-02. He led the NBA in scoring in the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons. This season, Bryant became the Lakers all-time leading scorer.

Kobe Bryant fits in the Los Angeles culture. He has the star power needed to stand out in a city full of famous people. The Lakers need Kobe to remain on top of the league, so this is a perfect match.

7. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

Tom Brady is the only player on this list not to be drafted in the first round. Brady was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Since then, Brady has won three Super Bowls, two Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards, the 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player, and holds the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season.

New England kept Brady around even when he injured his knee and had surgery. He is a part of the Patriots legacy and will never leave.

Brady has the humility to remain on a team where no one is the true star and may even take a pay cut to remain there. He enjoys his role as the leader of the Patriots.

6. Tom Izzo - Michigan State University

Since becoming the head coach at Michigan State University, Tom Izzo has led them to six Big Ten Championships, six Final Fours and one National Title.

Tom Izzo grew up in Michigan, went to school in Michigan, and wants to raise his children in Michigan.
Because of all these factors, Izzo will never leave MSU.

He may leave the bench to become the athletic director of MSU, but that's as close as he will come to leaving the program.

Izzo is truly the face of Michigan State.

5. Derek Jeter - New York Yankees

Derek Jeter has been a captain of the New York Yankees since 2003. He has helped them win World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.

Jeter is also the all-time hits leader among shortstops and the all-time hits leader in Yankees history.

Baseball is a sport where players get shipped to other teams on a weekly basis.

Jeter will never leave the Yankees because he likes being the leader of a winning team.

Jeter has the class and humility not to leave the Yankees or go to a rival. The Yankees are smart enough not to get rid of Jeter.

This is easier in baseball because the sport does not have a salary cap. As long as the Yankees keep making money to pay Jeter, he will be there.

4. Sydney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins

In 2009, Sydney Crosby became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup. Ironically, he was also the youngest player to ever be named captain in 2007.

Crosby's current contract has him wrapped up in Pittsburgh through the 2012-13 season.

They will undoubtedly keep Crosby through the remainder of his NHL career. No one has brought more to a team than Crosby. He's a great leader and player.

Crosby has adapted to the Penguins lifestyle and team atmosphere and will remain a Penguin for life.

3. Brett Favre - Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre was picked up by Green Bay after an awful rookie season in Atlanta. Oh wait, he went to the Minnesota Vikings. Just kidding - just making sure you were all paying attention!

3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning was the number one overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft. He has won four Most Valuable Player awards, one Super Bowl and has not missed a start in his entire career.

Manning is the all-time Colts leader in career wins, career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and passing touchdowns.

Those are all reasons he will remain with the Colts for the rest of his career. Other players in the locker room love Manning and want to play with him. They are willing to take pay cuts and do what it takes to keep him.

Manning adores the Colts and likes having control of the offense. That is something he may not get on another team.

2. Carol Hutchins - University of Michigan

Coach Carol Hutchins took over as the University of Michigan head softball coach in 1985. She has over 1,300 wins as a head coach, which is the most of any coach in Michigan history.

In 2005, Michigan became the first team east of the Mississippi River to win a softball national title.

Despite graduating from Michigan State, Coach Hutch has adapted to the Michigan Family.

She has coined the phrase "true blue, through and through" and uses it to describe her athletes.

Hutch will never leave the University of Michigan.

She has established many camps and clinics, including the first ever softball academy this year with proceeds going to support breast cancer research.

1. Joe Paterno - Penn State University

Was there any doubt over the number one?

Joe Paterno has been coaching Penn State football since 1966, which equates to 56.6 percent of the school's football games.

Paterno was pursued in 1969 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, in 1969 by the University of Michigan and in 1972 by the New England Patriots.

He never left Penn State and never will leave Penn State. He has even said he will remain coach until he's physically unable.

Paterno does not even like to be in the coaching booth, let alone at home watching it on television.

Paterno holds the record for the most victories by an FBS football coach and it will remain that way as long as Penn State keeps winning.