Las Vegas is a city of wonders. It means something to everyone. For LeBron James, Vegas is a way of fulfilling his dream. James had hinted, and then just said it outright to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, of wanting to be a part of the Vegas expansion. As and when it happens. In a recent interview, Silver had outright denied the possibility of that happening. Not necessarily the expansion as such, but James being part of it.
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With LeBron James winning the In-Season Tournament in Vegas, Adam Silver saw another opportunity to playfully remind the King that his dream is still a faraway hope.
Adam Silver apologizes to LeBron James for the Vegas slight
Tonight, when the NBA Commissioner presented King James with the IST trophy, he apologized for the Vegas snub. While it might have hurt James, he understands the situation Silver is in. Four days ago, Adam Silver appeared on SiriusXM NBA Radio to clear the air regarding the Vegas expansion. He confirmed that there was no process going on, in secret or otherwise, with anyone. “Number one, I’ll say there are no inside candidates,” he had said honestly.
LeBron James is the NBA's In-Season Tournament MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6obKrq70Le
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) December 10, 2023
Not known to cut any corners, Silver confirmed twice that the NBA hasn’t committed to anyone, nor are they planning on favoring an inside person. Owning a franchise has been a long-time dream of LeBron James. But as Silver referred in passing, he isn’t the only one looking to catch a piece of the action.
The Vegas expansion project has roots going back to 2005
18 years back, Micheal Jordan had expressed his desire to own a Las Vegas-based NBA team. Getting together with Cigar Aficionado, MJ already had the foresight of what a Vegas team would mean. Fast forward to now, and we have a lot more candidates.
The most vocal amongst them, no surprise, is LeBron James. He has been very consistent in reminding Adam Silver to expand the NBA to one of the most prominent cities in the USA. With the kind of crowd and love for sports that ‘Sin City’ boasts, not to mention, the wide opportunities for further businesses, an NBA team at the center just seems like the missing piece.
But, with how things are progressing now, it seems like a Vegas expansion is not in the books. James will have to settle with playing in the city or the occasional visits.
Do you think LeBron James will ever get the Vegas franchise he so ardently covets?
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