LeBron James explains his desire to own an NBA franchise in Las Vegas and why ‘it’s only a matter of time’ before basketball heads to the desert: ‘It just makes sense’
- LeBron James has previously expressed his desire to bring basketball to Las Vegas
- Los Angeles Lakers star believes “it’s completely normal” for the NBA to develop there
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LeBron James has explained why he wants to own an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, believing it’s only a “matter of time” before big-time basketball lights up the Strip.
The Lakers star is nearing the end of an incredible playing career and the four-time NBA champion has already expressed his desire to become an owner.
The 38-year-old was asked this week why he was particularly interested in leading a team in Las Vegas, should the NBA ever launch a franchise in the city.
The NFL, NHL and WNBA have all brought teams to Las Vegas in recent years and James believes the NBA would only accelerate the building of “momentum” in the desert.
“It just makes sense,” James said. “Obviously you have the Raiders here. You have the knights here. You have Aces here. F1 is coming very soon. All-Star Weekend has been there several times.
Lakers star LeBron James explained why he wants to own an NBA franchise in Las Vegas
“I think it’s completely normal. I think it’s just a matter of time,” the 38-year-old explained this week.
“We have the NBA Summer League which is very popular. Sport is here. I think adding an NBA franchise here would only add to the momentum happening in this city.
James has no concerns about whether an NBA franchise would sell to Vegas and thinks it’s a question of when – rather than if – a team will appear there.
“It’s an attraction. You don’t have to worry about fan support or anything like that. I think it’s fair. I think it’s just a matter of time,” he added.
James was in Vegas on a preseason mission with the Lakers. They faced the Nets on Monday night, when Ben Simmons appeared to stare down the Los Angeles superstar during the Lakers’ 129-126 victory.
Early in the first quarter at T-Mobile Arena, Simmons produced a surge past James and scored the Nets’ first points of the game.
The 27-year-old then appeared to look at his counterpart as they returned to the pitch. James played 17 minutes and finished his night with 10 points and five assists.
James helped the Lakers to a 129-126 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in a preseason game in Vegas.