LeBron James isn’t shy about his feelings on Memphis.
The 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar unloaded on the city and its NBA team during a recent appearance on the “Bob Does Sports” YouTube show, dismissing any notion of playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and calling for the franchise to move to Nashville.
“I’m fing 41 years of age. You think I want to do sh*t in Memphis on a random ass Thursday?” James said. “I’m not the first guy in the NBA to talk about this. You guys got to move the team … go over to Nashville already.”
James, who turned 41 in December, referenced the grind of the NBA schedule and life on the road, comparing a stop in Memphis unfavorably to other cities. He pointed to Nashville’s amenities, including Vanderbilt University, NASCAR and a hockey team, as reasons the Grizzlies should relocate.
LeBron James on playing the Grizzlies:
“I’m f***ing 41 years of age. You think I want to do sh** in Memphis on a random Thursday? I’m not the first guy in the NBA to talk about this. You guys got to move the team… go over to Nashville already.”
(via @leaguealerts) pic.twitter.com/ZN5y5vRg2p
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 2, 2026
The comments come as the Lakers and Grizzlies have faced off multiple times this season, including a Lakers victory in early January where James scored 31 points.
James also joked that the only chance the Grizzlies had of landing him was in the 2003 NBA Draft lottery. He suggested he “might have pulled an Eli Manning” and refused to play for Memphis, referencing the former NFL quarterback who famously forced a trade after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers.
“You guys have to move,” James added. “Go over to Nashville, you’ve got Vanderbilt over there, you’ve got the f***ing NASCAR, you got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team too? They’ve got everything.”
The Grizzlies have called Memphis home since relocating from Vancouver in 2001. The team has made the playoffs in recent years but has yet to reach the NBA Finals. Discussions about the franchise’s long-term home have surfaced occasionally, though no official relocation plans exist.
James’ remarks quickly drew attention on social media, with fans and analysts reacting to the veteran star’s candid take on small-market life late in his career. The four-time NBA champion has spent the bulk of his career in major markets — Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles — aside from his return to the Cavaliers.
The Lakers are currently in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while the Grizzlies continue to build around young talent including Ja Morant.
James has a history of memorable moments against Memphis, including playoff series clashes and on-court exchanges, but his latest comments shift the focus off the court to the city itself.
