12 Current Superstars Who Will Never Leave Their Teams
It's an unfortunate reality, but fans know that sports is a business, meaning that even when we least expect it, players get traded or sign elsewhere in free agency all the time.
That doesn't mean we want to accept that, though.
As we saw with guys like Dwyane Wade this year and Peyton Manning before him, among others, when a superstar leaves a team for another franchise, it just feels strange. It's like the earth's axis reverses course and it's a bizarre dream.
While Wade and Manning were among the future Hall of Famers who left their longtime organizations, here are a few superstars who will never leave their current teams—or so we should all hope they don't.
LeBron James
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Look, I'm not saying LeBron James will never leave the Cleveland Cavaliers—especially with as open as he's been about wanting to play with his good buddies Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade (again). But would he really bolt northeastern Ohio for a second time?
That's a question that can only be answered by James in the next few years, as he's already delivered the city the championship he promised when he returned in 2014.
James has grown up a lot since that 2010 decision to take his talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat, so it's hard to imagine him leaving his home with all that he has going for him in Ohio.
Larry Fitzgerald
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A 12-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn't leaving the desert anytime soon—and that's the way it should be.
One of the franchise's all-time greats who holds numerous club records, Fitz is on a Super Bowl-contending team that has maintained its loyalty to him over the years—even moving him to the slot position last season to utilize his skills—making this a match made in football heaven.
When Fitzgerald enters the Hall of Fame one day, he will forever be remembered as a Cardinal great.
Kawhi Leonard
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He's still just 25 years old—so there's plenty of time for things to change—but it just feels as if Kawhi Leonard has slid into the face-of-the-franchise role for the San Antonio Spurs, replacing 19-year vet Tim Duncan in that spot.
Given the fact that the Spurs built a dynasty around Duncan, keeping him happy and winning five titles with him, the organization clearly has the blueprint to do the same with Leonard.
Similar to Duncan in his personality and humility, Leonard is already locked up for the next four seasons in San Antonio, so assuming the team stays competitive, there's no reason for either side to part ways.
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Steven Stamkos
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After re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason, it's time to think about Steven Stamkos sticking around for the long haul, which is exactly what every Lightning fan hopes for.
Still just 26 years old, Stamkos has been a star since he was drafted No. 1 by the team in 2008, and recommitting for the next eight seasons only makes it more likely that both sides will continue to do whatever they can to stay together.
Superstars like Stamkos don't often get traded, so his out was via free agency, which he refused to take advantage of by staying where he's most happy.
Damian Lillard
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Whether you're a Portland Trail Blazers fan or not, if you enjoy basketball it's hard not to root for Damian Lillard.
Under the radar coming into the league after playing at Weber State, Lillard has developed himself into a premier player and one of the top point guards in the league. He's also become the face of the franchise for a Blazers team that continues to build around him.
Committing to the organization in 2015 by signing an extension for five years, Dame has openly talked about how Portland's where he wants to be and how his goal is to bring the city a championship.
It's hard to imagine Lillard ever leaving the Pacific Northwest given all that he's done in his young career to this point.
Andrew McCutchen
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A former league MVP who has been the cornerstone of the resurgence of the Pittsburgh Pirates over the past three seasons, outfielder Andrew McCutchen has defined what it means to play baseball in the Steel City.
Going from rising star and fan favorite to a bona fide superstar, Cutch is locked up with the Pirates until 2018 and hasn't shown any signs of leaving for greener pastures elsewhere.
Plus, with his community work—which earned him the Roberto Clemente Award last season—it's hard to imagine McCutchen playing ball anywhere else.
Alex Ovechkin
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Much like the aforementioned Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin is a former No. 1 overall pick who has stayed with one franchise his entire career to this point—and it's hard to imagine him ever bolting D.C.
While Ovie's playoff struggles with the Washington Capitals are well-documented, he's a future Hall of Famer who has shown his loyalty to the franchise. Easily still a top-five player in the league, the team's happy to keep him around.
Ovechkin will be entering his 12th NHL season, and unless the Caps suddenly change course and try to rebuild, the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner is staying put.
Russell Wilson
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Built from the same mold as a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is a once-in-a-decade player who has already made quite the legacy for himself in Seattle.
Since entering the league in 2012, Danger Russ has led the Hawks to four postseason berths and two Super Bowls, with one victory, and has established himself as one of the premier talents at the position in the NFL.
His dedication to both the franchise and the city of Seattle are well-documented, so where else but the Emerald City would Wilson want to play? There's a good reason he yells "Go Hawks!" after nearly all of his interviews.
Sidney Crosby
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Already a legend after delivering his second Stanley Cup title to the Pittsburgh Penguins this past season, Sidney Crosby has proven to be the superstar everyone believed he'd be before he entered the league.
And as the face of the entire NHL—even now, after 11 seasons—Sid has become bigger than life for the Pens, meaning he's in the Steel City for the long haul.
For all that Crosby has already accomplished in his career, he's still just 28 years old, meaning he has plenty of solid years left—and Pens fans will be the ones relishing them all.
Tom Brady
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I know, I know: Tom Brady is already 38 years old and, in general terms, probably only has a few years left in the NFL. But the New England Patriots signal-caller has said he hopes to play until he's 50—which, c'mon, would anyone doubt he can't?
A New England lifer, the four-time Super Bowl champ is more committed to the Pats than nearly any athlete ever has, as he's restructured his contract a few times in order to bring other players in and has maintained his love for the Boston area.
Unlike his buddy Peyton Manning, who saw his time with the Indianapolis Colts end after unfortunate circumstances, Brady has maintained his health, the Patriots continue to be the gold standard in NFL franchises and the quarterback's legacy will only keep growing in Foxborough.
Buster Posey
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The New York Yankees had Derek Jeter for all those years, and the San Francisco Giants have Buster Posey—now and for the long term.
A three-time World Series champ and former NL MVP, Posey has established himself as the premier player on the Giants, whose influence and leadership is felt by the entire clubhouse.
And, like Jeter for the Yanks, Posey's going to continue to build his legacy with one franchise, staying committed to San Fran through good and bad times.
Like other icons in the game, Buster Posey will forever be remembered as a San Francisco Giant, so that should never change.
Aaron Rodgers
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After taking over the starting role for Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre in 2008, is there any doubt both the franchise and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are committed to one another?
All Rodgers has done in that time is win a Super Bowl, snag a league MVP and keep the Pack in the championship conversation, meaning he's the right man for the job of leading the huddle in Green Bay.
Still only 32 years old, Rodgers will go start-to-finish in Packer green and yellow, maybe even replacing Favre as the franchise's all-time best quarterback.
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