LeBron James unloads on Memphis, says Grizzlies should move to Nashville

LeBron James is apparently not a fan of Memphis.

The Lakers’ superstar appeared on the “Bob Does Sports” YouTube channel in a video posted on April 2. And he made his thoughts on Memphis very clear.

After talking about the grind of traveling during an NBA season, James first mentioned “random (expletive) Tuesday in Milwaukee staying at the (expletive) Hyatt” before turning his attention to Memphis.

“Memphis on a (expletive) random ass Thursday,” James said. “I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. We all, like, ‘You guys have to move. Just go over to Nashville. You got Vanderbilt over there, you got the (expletive) NASCAR, you got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team? Like, they’ve got everything.”

James was then asked if there was any chance he would ever play for the Grizzlies.

“Their only chance was in 2003 if they would’ve won the lottery to get me,” James said. “And I might’ve pulled an Eli Manning and not shown up.”

James is referring to the 2004 NFL Draft, when Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers but was traded to the New York Giants after refusing the play for the Chargers.

The idea of the Grizzlies relocating to Nashville has been floated before and is the source of plenty of discontent in the Bluff City.

In 2023, now-Lakers coach J.J. Redick apologized after former NBA player Evan Turner suggested it on Redick’s podcast. Warriors forward Draymond Green said on his podcast in March that the Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has drawn the ire of Memphians for his comments about the city and recently suggested that Nashville could get a team as part of NBA expansion.

That prompted Greater Memphis Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend to tweet “F you” in a response.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.