As LeBron James prepares for his 22nd NBA season, the basketball legend has his sights set on more than just success on the court. His ambitions off the court, particularly his desire to own an NBA team, have become a key focus.
With Las Vegas as his preferred destination for a future franchise, LeBron’s retirement could be closer than anticipated—directly tied to the NBA’s potential expansion.
LeBron’s Ultimate Goal: Owning an NBA Team in Las Vegas
LeBron James has been open about his intention to own an NBA team once his playing days are over. In December 2023, James told ESPN that his “ultimate” goal is to “bring my franchise” to Las Vegas. His comments came just before the Lakers’ NBA In-Season Tournament semifinal against the New Orleans Pelicans.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
His interest in ownership isn’t just talk. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski in 2023, LeBron has been “putting in work” to make his dream a reality. “LeBron James is not just talking about being a part of an ownership group that brings the NBA to Las Vegas,” Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown. “He has been active behind the scenes and on a regular basis now in meetings with his advisors and planning about what a franchise would look like, how an organization would run, and the financials.”
Arenas Predicts LeBron’s Retirement Linked to Expansion
On his Gil’s Arena podcast, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas weighed in on when LeBron might retire, suggesting that James’ exit from the game could align with the NBA’s potential expansion to Las Vegas. Arenas believes that LeBron’s dream of owning a team could mark the end of his playing career.
“This kind of gives us a timeline of when we think LeBron James is going to retire because it has to make sense of when that team will be built,” Arenas said. “He can’t play and own it, so he’s going to have to be done to own that team. So if the team is going to be built and be ready by the summer of 2026, then that will be his last year.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Arenas’ prediction points to 2026 as a potential retirement year for LeBron if the NBA moves forward with its plans to expand.
NBA Expansion and Las Vegas: A Growing Reality
Las Vegas has emerged as a hotbed for professional sports in recent years, with teams like the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, and WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces already calling the city home. The NBA has long had a presence there too, hosting the NBA Summer League since 2004 and more recently the semifinals and championship of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has frequently discussed the possibility of expanding the league, with Las Vegas and Seattle being the top candidates for new franchises. While Silver has emphasized that expansion would follow the completion of the league’s new media rights deal, that hurdle has now been cleared, making the idea of a Las Vegas NBA team more feasible.
What’s Next for LeBron?
If Arenas’ prediction holds true, LeBron’s transition from player to team owner could align with the NBA’s expansion into Las Vegas by 2026. For now, LeBron remains focused on his 22nd season, where he continues to dominate on the court. Averaging 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in 2023, James shows no signs of slowing down.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Whether LeBron retires in 2026 or beyond, his ambitions to own an NBA team—potentially in Las Vegas—highlight his continued impact on the game, both as a player and future owner.
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