LeBron James sets sights on OKC front office amid NBA franchise plans
summary
- LeBron James has reiterated his desire to own an NBA franchise.
- James also opened up about the team he thinks does a great job in the draft.
LeBron James has made no secret of the fact that he wants to own an NBA franchise later in life. Recently, he’s even been open about which employees of current NBA teams he might try to poach.
In the first episode of “Mind the Game,” James and former NBA player JJ Redick discuss a variety of topics. One of their topics of discussion was NBA draft picks and how teams see “potential.” He points out that middle picks usually bring success.
LeBron James says, “Our league has feasted on prospects, guys on prospects…it hinges on prospects as it has, that’s the whole thing about the lottery. The whole thing about lottery picks 1 to 13 or 14, I don’t even know what happens when it’s cut like you’re a lottery pick, but it makes sense why those guys 16 to 30, 16 to 42 are on real contending teams. making an impact.”
LeBron said, “Our league was out of reach — why do guys who get picked 16-32 always make an impact on the same rival teams?”
Also joked that he will hire the OKC staff to scout players for his future NBA team because they are so good at their… pic.twitter.com/zFq1b26yf2
— ²³☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) March 19, 2024
It was surprising that James, who was the #1 draft pick in 2003, said that. Reddick responded by claiming that the draft is always the same team that does well and the same team that messes up. The Los Angeles Lakers star has announced his future strategy after becoming a franchise owner, “I’ll tell you when I get my team, the teams that draft well, those teams will definitely work for me,”
King James also gave his preferred name. He claims the Oklahoma City Thunder do an amazing job on draft picks.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have drafted top NBA talent over the years
OKC general manager Sam Presti has been known to make some tough picks over the years. Statistics also show that OKC draft picks are tactically sound. As far back as 2007, the OKC Thunders selected Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. KD became MVP in 2014 and won two NBA championships. Green also became an NBA champion in 2023.
Highest OKC draft pick under GM Sam Presti
2022 Chet Holmgren 2nd
2007 Kevin Durant 2nd
2009 James Harden 3rd
2008 Russell Westbrook 4th pic.twitter.com/PJOchyxnuX— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 24, 2022
In 2008, OKC drafted Russell Westbrook, who won the MVP award in 2017. In 2009, they drafted James Harden. In 2018, he won the MVP award one year after Westbrook. More successful drafts include Cole Aldrich (2010), Steven Adams (2013), and
LeBron James has expressed his desire to own an NBA franchise based in Las Vegas
In 2022, LeBron James opened up about owning a franchise based in Las Vegas. “I’d love to bring a team here at some point, that would be amazing,” He said in October 2022, according to Forbes.
“This is the best fan base in the world and I want to bring a team here… I want a team here Adam, thanks.”
In December 2023, James played in and won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. When NBA commissioner Adam Silver presented James with the MVP award, he joked, “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t come with a franchise.”
LeBron James:
“It’s crazy to say this but Vegas is a sports town…Hopefully I can bring my franchise here one day.”
(via @JesseNews3LV) pic.twitter.com/hLJb5ggwmO
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 7, 2023
LeBron James will not be new to owning a team. James has a minority stake in English Premier League side Liverpool. He reportedly owns a two percent stake in Liverpool.
It may seem small but it was a wise investment as he acquired the stake in 2011 for around $6.4 million and in 10 years his stake was worth more than $80 million. It will be interesting to see how James puts his business acumen to use in his NBA franchise selection.