Stephen A. Smith has word of caution for LeBron James' NBA ownership prospects due to connection with $5 billion rival league: "Not the most liked"

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith offered some advice to LeBron James following news that James' longtime friend and business partner, Maverick Carter, is advising a group of investors on a new international basketball league. The league, which LeBron himself does not appear to be involved with, has the goal of competing with the NBA.

On "The Stephen A. Smith Show" on Friday, Smith cautioned James to tread carefully in light of his connection to a new international basketball league. Carter is reportedly working with a group of investors to raise $5 billion for the endeavor.

"So, when you saw this story about a five-on-five team and LeBron James has nothing to do with it— well, Maverick Carter does; that's bad enough for them," Smith said. "Because even though it's not a threat, how dare you support anything that will compromise our bottom line?"

Smith warned LeBron James that the NBA won't react kindly to the news of a rival league being created. The existence of a competing league is already an issue, but the situation becomes more complex when a connection can be made to the face of the league in James.

"And it doesn't even have to be accurate," Smith said. "It'd just be an excuse to have negative feelings towards LeBron, because some owners look for it anyway. Some executives for other teams look for it anyway. He is not the most liked dude in the world. Not in NBA circles. That's just a fact.

"I'm not saying he did anything wrong, I'm not blaming him, I'm just telling you there are people in very powerful positions associated with the NBA who feel otherwise. I'm not guessing. I'm telling you what I know. ... So, it would behoove LeBron, if he wants ownership down the line, to try and play nice with some people."

Smith was referring to LeBron James' public comments about his desire to be involved in a front office and possibly even own a franchise after his playing days are over.

LeBron James turned down $10 million as a teenager

LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for the better part of two decades, but it wasn't always this way. Before he stacked up 20 consecutive All-Star appearances, James was the most touted high school prospect in basketball history.

LeBron started making headway at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio. In four years, he led the small private, Catholic school to three state championships and one national championship. By the time he graduated, he was well on his way to becoming a household name, and companies were lined up to throw sponsorship deals at him.

As a guest on a Jan. 14 episode of "New Heights," a podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, LeBron shared a memorable story about navigating negotiations while still in high school.

As a senior, James was approached by several sports companies looking to secure a deal with the next up-and-coming star. While most know LeBron James for being a Nike athlete, with his own popular shoe line, James said it wasn't always Nike.

"The best pitch that I got, where I thought I was gonna end up, was actually Reebok," James said.

"The guy slides over a check to me at the end of the table. It's me and my mom and Maverick Carter, and he says, 'If you don't go talk to any other companies, this is yours.' And I look at it: 10 million f**king dollars."

LeBron recounted the overwhelming feeling of being presented with that much money as an 18-year-old and said he asked to have the room after being shown the offer.

"My mom looked at me she said, 'Son, trust your gut. If they're offering you this, then who knows what other companies may offer you? ... I may have cried on the way home 'cause I had to leave the $10 million," James said, laughing.

James went on to sign his first Nike contract on May 22, 2003. The historic deal was for over seven years and $87 million.