LeBron Says He Wants An NBA Team In Las Vegas

The King really wants to hold court in Las Vegas.

LeBron James told reporters over the weekend, that he remains interested in being part of the NBA after he's finished playing - in Las Vegas!

At a press conference held prior to the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, he said again that he would like to own a franchise and pointed to Las Vegas as his preference.

LeBron said, "Vegas is a really cool city, and they're doing some great things in sports these days," James said, noting the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL.

James did, however, forget the name of Las Vegas' Vegas Born hockey team, thinking the Kings played in Las Vegas. He realized his mistake and a reporter had to say that it was the "Golden Knights!" "The Kings are in LA, right?" James said with a smile. "Or the King. Oh, there's two Kings in LA. Got it." (He's a comedian too, apparently...)

James revealed on his series "The Shop" last year that he would like to own an expansion franchise in Las Vegas. "I would much rather own a team before I talk," James said in an episode released in June. "I wanna- yeah, I want a team in Vegas. I want the team in Vegas."

Still, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has tried to tamper down expansion talk for the immediate future, citing concerns over diluting the player talent pool.

The NBA maintains a very regular presence in Las Vegas with its annual Summer League competition. All 30 teams send rookie, sophomore and G League affiliate players to compete in a two-week tournament at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus.

The Los Angeles Lakers also regularly play preseason games at T-Mobile Arena.

With the Oakland A's looming on the horizon, and just waiting to dig their cleats into Las Vegas, does Las Vegas need - or want-  yet another professional sports team? Is LeBron James going to rule Las Vegas soon?

Las Vegas residents would love to see, and feel the payoff of all of these franchises - but, are they?

Here are some athletes who are originally from Las Vegas -