NBA players – LeBron James’ comments calling for the Grizzlies to move to Nashville have triggered an outpouring of reactions, and a player poll has shown Memphis sitting atop a no-trade list—while the city’s leadership pushed back with a direct invitation.
LeBron James didn’t mince words about playing in Memphis, and the fallout has been anything but small.
During an appearance on Bob Does Sports. James said the Grizzlies should move to Nashville. adding that he doesn’t want to play in Memphis on what he called a “random Thursday.” In the stream. the Los Angeles Lakers star. at 41 years old. said: “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.”
That message quickly turned into a wider sports conversation about what it means when a player of James’ stature speaks out against Memphis hosting an NBA franchise—an economic driver the city can count on.. While the debate around Memphis includes criticism tied to where the team plays. a recent player poll gathered for MISRYOUM Sports News shows multiple players sharing similar reservations.
In that poll, Memphis landed at number one on a no-trade list, with the Washington Wizards placed at number two.. The poll also captured anonymous quotes from players who said they wouldn’t want to live in Memphis. even if basketball would otherwise be manageable.. One player said: “I’ll play anywhere, honestly.. But I would have to say Memphis is a place I don’t want to live.. So that would be the reason why I wouldn’t want to play there.” Another player added: “It has nothing to do with the team.. It’s the location of the team.”
Not everyone in the discussion has focused on complaints from players. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he had never heard of issues tied to players’ views on Memphis, though he believed there are some games the Grizzlies should play in Nashville.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young took a public step of his own after the comments. posting a thread on X that praised Stephen A.. Smith and Kendrick Perkins for speaking out in support of the city while also urging James to convert criticism into action.. Young wrote: “@kingjames. I would welcome the chance to turn your criticism into action in one of the most important cities in the world.. Come to Memphis and roll around with me for a bit and I will show you some of the culture and powerful investment opportunities in our City.. Let’s do something epic in one of the largest majority Black cities in the nation!”
The conversation has turned around a single question with two competing claims: some players say the problem is where the team is located, while league leadership insists it has not seen similar issues and Memphis officials are openly challenging James to see the city for himself.
And through it all, the timing and tone of James’ remarks continue to set the terms—his reference to a “random Thursday” in Memphis has become the spark for a broader debate about whether the Grizzlies’ home should stay put, shift cities, or at least be tested with more games elsewhere.
LeBron James Memphis Grizzlies Nashville NBA no-trade list Paul Young Adam Silver
Memphis should just chill, it’s not like LeBron can move the whole league lol.
I don’t get why it’s such a big deal. Like if they’re that old and don’t wanna travel, go somewhere else? Also “random Thursday”?? That just sounds like drama.
Isn’t this just about taxes or arena stuff? LeBron saying Nashville like that feels more political than basketball. Plus those “player polls” sound like made up quotes half the time. I’m not saying he’s wrong, but I’m also not buying the whole “no-trade list” thing.
Nashville invite though… so the city leadership is basically like “come on down” but players are out here saying they don’t wanna live there? That’s gotta hurt economically, not even the fans, the businesses around the arena. Also Memphis being #1 no-trade like damn, even the Wizards don’t want it second? Makes me think there’s more to it than just location.