“LeBron is dead set on owning an NBA team" - Maverick Carter outlines LeBron James' vision to own a franchise

LeBron James has long had his sights set on NBA ownership. While the LA star still has two years left on his current contract heading into the 2024-25 season, talk of a potential expansion has once again sparked talk of James diving headfirst into ownership.

According to James' longtime friend, Maverick Carter, who spoke on a recent ESPN appearance, the four-time NBA champ is dead set on owning an NBA franchise one day. Of course, in order to become an owner, James would have to retire from basketball, which has raised plenty of questions regarding his future.

Now that the league's media rights deal has been finalized, Adam Silver has made it clear that with the hurdle out of the way, the door is now open for expansion talk. If James plans to play out his current contract, he may have to wait for a chance to purchase a team until the next expansion.

In either case, as Maverick Carter said on "The Pat McAfee Show" this week, LeBron James is dead set on becoming an NBA owner:

"I think LeBron is dead set on owning an NBA team, but he's still playing, and I have no idea how much longer he's going to play. I would have thought he would be done a few years ago, but he's out there with the beard now, with the gray. Still letting the young guys know grandpop's is out here, still balling."

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Looking at LeBron James' future in the NBA, when will the four-time champ retire?

Last season, after LeBron James and the Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by the Denver Nuggets for the second year in a row, James was noncommittal about his future.

At the time, he played coy with media members regarding his plans and later revealed on social media in late April that he wasn't sure about his future in the league.

James then followed it up by opting out of the final year of his deal with the Lakers before re-signing with the franchise on a two-year extension in July 2023. While there had previously been talk of James sticking around to play with Bryce James in the NBA, Bryce explained that he's doubtful his dad will still be in the NBA by then.

At the same time, LeBron James has also been open about the fact that he's considered ending his career like Tim Duncan, without a farewell tour.

As we approach the 2024-25 NBA season, it's unclear just how long James plans to continue to compete. After the upcoming season, he could opt-in to the final year of his extension before seeing how things play out or simply ride off into the sunset after playing alongside Bronny.