LeBron James tells NBA commissioner Adam Silver: ‘I want a team in Las Vegas’
LeBron James at the world premiere of "Space Jam: A New Legacy"
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James wants to own an NBA team in Las Vegas and has let commissioner Adam Silver know about it.
James was in action at the T-Mobile Arena in Sin City this week, scoring 23 points in 17 minutes as the Lakers lost 119-115 to the Phoenix Suns.
After the match, the 37-year-old took the opportunity to express his desire to own a team in the Nevada city.
Speaking in June, LeBron initially discussed his ambition, telling 'The Shop: Uninterrupted': "I want a team in Vegas."
Asked about the pre-season match against the Suns in Vegas, James told the media: "I would love to bring a team here at some point. That would be amazing. I know Adam is in Abu Dhabi right now, I believe.
"But he probably sees every single interview and transcript that comes through from NBA players.
"So, I want the team here, Adam. Thank you."
LeBron James addressed Adam Silver in his postgame press conference, saying he wants to own a team in Vegas should the league expand to that area pic.twitter.com/oATyksmudV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 6, 2022
Silver said earlier this year that there are no plans to expand the league from 30 teams.
"We are not discussing that at this time," Silver said.
"As I said before, at some point, this league invariably will expand, but it's not at this moment that we are discussing it."
He has previously endorsed Las Vegas and Seattle for potential expansion teams in the future, however.
"Those are wonderful markets," Silver said.
"We were in Seattle. I'm sorry we are no longer there. We have a WNBA team in Seattle in an almost brand-new building that's doing spectacular.
"And Las Vegas, where we will be at our summer league in July, has shown itself to be a great sports market as well."
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said it is a "great city" and thinks a team has to call Vegas "home" in the future.
"I think it's a great city. The natural organic energy that's here built into the city, it goes hand in hand with the level of sports that have been considered to be placed here," he said.
"It's a no-brainer. Down the road. I don't want to speak for the NBA or the commissioner, but I think at some point you'll see a permanent NBA team here calling Las Vegas home."
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