LeBron James is 2 years away from NBA team ownership after $104 million extension, says insider

Las Vegas is touted to be one of the expansion teams that the NBA could field down the line.

LeBron James is 2 years away from NBA team ownership after $104 million extension, says insider

LeBron James is 2 years away from Las Vegas NBA team ownership

Heading into the off-season, almost everyone knew that LeBron James would decline his player option and look to sign his final possible contract. He eventually signed a two-year contract with a player option in the final year. This change, Brian Windhorst believes, is a sign of James’ next chapter as a businessman after leaving the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The long-time Insider recently discussed the possibility of LeBron James’ career winding down after next season. He discussed James’ business interests, considering how the current contract is constructed. Windhorst stated that the two-year contract meant the player option was a way to ensure that James could exit and retire if his body gave away. If not, it’s an indication of owning a new team. 

You have no idea what injuries could happen or whatever. He wants to be the owner of the upcoming expansion team in Las Vegas. It'll probably be at the earliest two years from now. And that's what I think LeBron will be focused on. He wants to join up with partners to become the face of the franchise in Las Vegas.
Brian Windhorst via ESPN First Take
YouTube video

The NBA has made it publicly clear that they want to expand their league. Potential destinations for the expansion include Las Vegas, Seattle, and Mexico City. With Las Vegas primed to be one of the leading candidates to land a franchise, LeBron James is at the forefront of the effort.

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Therefore, Brian Windhorst believes James’ Los Angeles Lakers contract will give him the option to start working towards that franchise after the upcoming season. It comes after achieving everything he set out to do as a basketball player, including playing with his son.

Las Vegas is the perfect location for LeBron James to be owner

Sin City is just a 5-hour drive from the James’ residence. More importantly, the city has certain exclusive advantages. It includes the constant influx of visitors from all across the world. That alone will help the new franchise be commercially sound. Then, the city is also becoming a sports hub.

The Las Vegas Aces are the defending two-time champions. The newest NHL expansion franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, lifted the Stanley Cup last season. Then, there is the Las Vegas Raiders, one of the most followed sports teams in the world. All of this suggests that LeBron James and his partners would not be wrong to set up shop there. It is a location that can give the team everything it needs as it starts life in the NBA.

The all-time leading scorer in NBA history has done enough in the league to cement his legacy. Now, he will play alongside his son next season. After that, it will be time for him to take the likely next step: becoming an NBA franchise owner.

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