LeBron James and Las Vegas go way back. He’s openly expressed his desire to own an NBA expansion team there, and now, on a preseason tour with his son, Bronny, the city welcomed them with open arms. But things were a bit different for the Los Angeles Lakers GM, JJ Redick, who found himself in an awkward spot.

During the post-game press conference, JJ Redick was asked about LeBron’s long-standing goal of bringing a team to Las Vegas and his plea to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. However, the GM swiftly dodged the topic, stating, “It’s above my pay grade to be speculating on those things.” But as for Silver’s ambitious $7 billion plan for expansion? Redick wasn’t touching that. However, he acknowledged that “Las Vegas has proven to be an excellent sports town.”

That question likely put Redick in a tough position. After all, he’s not just the Lakers’ GM; he’s also a close friend of LeBron and must navigate league politics. LeBron, still an active player, can’t own a team while playing, which has stalled his Vegas aspirations.

Meanwhile, Vegas did not disappoint the James family. During the game, the crowd erupted, chanting Bronny’s name. The cameras zoomed in on LeBron’s face, showing a proud dad soaking in the moment. If LeBron is still serious about securing an ownership stake in a Vegas team, estimates suggest he’ll need $4-5 billion to make it happen. And if a new arena is in the mix? The price tag could soar to $7 billion.

With a net worth hovering around $1.2 billion, LeBron will undoubtedly keep a close watch on how things unfold, especially as Vegas remains a key piece in his long-term vision.

LeBron James’ plans for post-NBA career

As LeBron James gears up for his 22nd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s hard to ignore his incredible journey. He’s broken nearly every individual record in the game, including the all-time scoring title he claimed in February 2023. Despite approaching 40, LeBron remains one of the league’s most decisive players. However, with talk of him hanging up his sneakers by the end of the 2025/26 season, is it time to think about a post-NBA career?

Interestingly, his post-basketball plans are already taking shape. According to his longtime friend and business partner, Maverick Carter, LeBron is eyeing ownership of an NBA team—the much-anticipated Las Vegas expansion franchise.

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Carter said, “LeBron is absolutely determined to own an NBA team. But he’s still playing, and I have no idea how much longer he’ll be around. I would have thought he’d retire a few years ago, but there he is with his beard, still graying, showing young people that ‘Grandpa’ is still playing.”

While it remains to be seen if LeBron will own a team, especially the potential Vegas franchise, he’s no stranger to ownership. He already holds a 2% stake in English Premier League soccer club Liverpool, proving that his ambitions stretch far beyond the basketball court.