Lakers’ LeBron James goes scorched earth on the Memphis Grizzles

LeBron James is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Speculation is already rampant about where James will play next season, should he decide to return for a 24th NBA season, even with the Lakers (50-26) charging toward a deep playoff run.

Will James relocate back home to Cleveland?

Will he finally join forces with Stephen Curry in Golden State?

Could he just stay with the Lakers and push for another ring alongside Luka Doncic?

No news to report on that front, but James did share a strong opinion on the location of one NBA franchise.

In the latest episode of “Bob Does Sports,” published on Thursday, James was asked whether travel feels worse at 41 in his NBA-record 23rd season.

“[Expletive] yeah,” James said. “A random [expletive] Tuesday in Milwaukee staying at the [expletive] Hyatt at 41 years old, you think I want to do that [expletive]? Being in Memphis on a [expletive] random ass Thursday?”

In relation to Memphis, James added, “I’m not the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. Like, we all like, you guys have to move. Just go over to Nashville. You’ve got Vanderbilt over there. You’ve got NASCAR. You’ve got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too? They’ve got everything.”

James said Grizzlies fans “know” they have no chance of having him play for the team: “Their only chance was in 2003, if they would’ve won the lottery to get me there. And I might have pulled an Eli Manning and not shown up.”

Earlier this month, when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the NBA is considering expansion franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, Golden State Warriors All-Star Draymond Green echoed James’ sentiment on his podcast.

“Vegas has to be in the Western Conference; Seattle has to be in the Western Conference,” Green said. “But all is not broken. Minnesota needs to go to the Eastern Conference. […] Memphis, which should probably be in Nashville, should be an Eastern Conference team. Adam, let them do us a favor and take the [Grizzlies] to Nashville. No harm, no foul. The relocation fee, it’s a swap. Leave that arena, and you ain’t gotta pay the relocation fee.”

For now, James doesn’t have to worry about visiting Memphis. The Lakers have six regular-season games remaining, including trips to Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Golden State. The NBA playoffs start on April 18.

Source link