Las Vegas has become a staple in the NBA courtesy of the Las Vegas Summer League. It is an event that has grown over the years as all 30 teams now participate and it is the first chance to get to see many of the young guys playing with their new teams.
It is a huge draw for fans, as established players litter the arena for every game and are rather easily accessible throughout the casinos and hotels around the strip. One of the players who is there watching his team every year is LeBron James.
James watched the young Los Angeles Lakers play this summer, just as he has done every year that the event has been held. However, he is hoping that Las Vegas will become a permanent home for an NBA team, not just Summer League.
For as good of a basketball player as he is, James is just as savvy of a businessman. He has made his desires clear as he is hoping to one day own an NBA team.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Las Vegas Expansion Updates
After his Lakers played against the Phoenix Suns in an exhibition there this week, he let commissioner Adam Silver know that he is hoping that ownership will be part of a team in Las Vegas.
“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,” James said after the Lakers’ matchup with the Phoenix Suns. “So, I want the team here, Adam. Thank you.”
Seeing how big of a draw the Summer League is, it is easy to see how successful having a franchise there would be. The NFL has already marked territory there with the Las Vegas Raiders and the NHL has the Vegas Golden Knights. It feels like a matter of time until the NBA has a franchise there as well.
“It’s the best fan base in the world and I would love to bring a team here at some point,” James said. “That would be amazing.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Las Vegas Expansion Updates
But, Silver has thrown some water on the idea. Expansion is something that will eventually happen, but right now, it isn’t something that is under discussion.
“As I said before, at some point, this league invariably will expand, but it’s not at this moment that we are discussing it,” Silver said earlier this year. “But one of the factors in expanding is the potential dilution of talent.”
There are already a limited number of players capable of carrying a franchise, which is why so many are stuck in no man’s land, hoping to acquire one of those franchise-altering players in a trade. Money is also a deciding factor as Las Vegas, despite all of its draws as a tourist town, is a very small media market.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James & Las Vegas Expansion Updates
That is something that the NBA cares about and will take into consideration when expansion occurs. The first city that should be awarded a team once the expansion is ready to get underway is Seattle. There is a new arena in place and Seattle is a basketball city through and through despite the SuperSonics being moved and becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder.
