LeBron James recently appeared alongside Nikola Jokic’s agent, but their meeting was not focused on recruiting the Serbian star to the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead, James and his agent Maverick Carter engaged with Miško Ražnatović to explore the development of a new international basketball league. Carter is expected to lead the initiative with plans to raise $5 billion prior to the league’s launch.
Ražnatović’s Instagram post, which included both James and Carter, sparked widespread guessing about potential NBA player moves with the comment,
“The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026,”
—Miško Ražnatović. However, it is now understood that the conversation centered on this upcoming basketball league intended to rival the NBA, rather than specific player transfers.
Blueprint for a Global League Challenging the NBA’s Dominance
The Financial Times reported in February that the emerging league aims to compete directly with the NBA, signaling a major shift in international basketball. Unlike Unrivaled, a women’s league designed to complement the WNBA season, this new league would demand full-time commitment from athletes.
One unique feature would allow players to hold ownership shares in their teams, a benefit currently unavailable in the NBA. The league plans to operate similarly to Formula One, where teams play across multiple global cities and move weekly from one location to the next, providing a touring competitive format.
Front Office Sports revealed the league’s model includes six men’s and six women’s teams, supported by worldwide investors and offering players equity stakes. This structure could pose a significant challenge to the NBA’s international expansion plans and could impact the EuroLeague, currently one of basketball’s premier competitions alongside the NBA.
Clarifying LeBron James’ Role and Lakers’ Current Moves
Despite James’ presence during discussions with Ražnatović and Carter, he is reportedly not involved in the new league’s operations. Furthermore, the meeting was not intended to pursue a partnership with Jokic or explore a transfer of players between the Lakers and the Nuggets.
LeBron James’ Lakers have been active in reshaping their roster, acquiring players like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia, while losing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency. Meanwhile, the Nuggets bolstered their squad with Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway, and Jonas Valanciunas but parted ways with Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook.
Both James and Jokic command annual salaries exceeding $50 million, making it improbable that either would risk significant earnings to join this new league under development at this stage.
Potential Impact and What Lies Ahead
The creation of a new international basketball league with deep financial backing and a global footprint could reshape the professional basketball landscape. By offering players ownership opportunities and a pioneering touring structure, it presents a novel alternative to traditional league models.
For now, while the NBA strengthens its global reach and EuroLeague maintains its status in Europe, this forthcoming league could provoke intense competition for talent and international viewership once it launches. The summer of 2025 appears to be the pivotal moment for unveiling detailed plans, with the league expected to commence operations in the fall of 2026.