Dwyane Wade says family will be the most important factor in LeBron James' free agency this summer.
"To me, I don't think it's a basketball thing," Wade, James' best friend, told FOX Sports Radio over the weekend, as transcribed by Anthony Chiang of the Palm Beach Post. "Obviously, you saw this year he can get to The Finals no matter what the circumstances are."
"I don't really think the basketball decision of saying, 'Oh, let me go team up with three All-Stars,'" he added. "I think at this point in his life, it's more so of a lifestyle thing of where my family is going to be the most comfortable and where I'm going to be the most happiest at. Because, basketball wise, he's so great that he can bring along and take along whoever."
Relocating to Los Angeles could fit Wade's description of James' mindset. His family appears to be happy there, given he owns two homes worth $21 million and $23 million apiece. In anticipation of such a move, the Lakers carved out cap room to accommodate two incoming free agents earning the max.
Conversely, Wade's quip about joining up with three All-Stars seems to cut against the possibility of James signing with the Houston Rockets. James would have his best shot of winning a title with the Rockets, but if he's not trying to latch on with a contender, then Houston loses its luster.
