The NBA’s global reach has never been more evident, with a record 125 international players, including 62 Europeans like Serbia’s Nikola Jokic, Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Slovenia’s Luka Doncic, gracing rosters last season. The league’s international flair was underscored by Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning the 2024-25 MVP, extending a streak of non-American-born players claiming the award since James Harden’s 2017-18 victory (Joel Embiid, though naturalized, was born in Cameroon).
Earlier this year, during the peak of the NBA season, discussions surfaced about a groundbreaking move: launching a professional basketball league in Europe to boost the sport’s popularity and tap into the continent’s economic potential. Though the vote on this initiative was postponed, the NBA’s vision to expand its footprint across the Atlantic remains a hot topic, with LeBron James emerging as a key ambassador for this transformative project.
The Reason Behind LeBron’s Meeting with Joki’s Agent
This past July, LeBron James and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter made headlines by meeting with Misko Raznatovic, Nikola Jokic’s agent, on a yacht in Saint-Tropez.
Initial speculation swirled about a potential superteam featuring James, Jokic, and Doncic, but Raznatovic clarified the true purpose on the 6.75range podcast. “A group of investors is planning a new league to compete with the NBA, but with a distinct European flavor,” he revealed.
Raznatovic, a powerhouse in European basketball, was brought on as a consultant after multiple discussions with Carter. “They suggested a lunch meeting on a boat with LeBron present, where we discussed how this league would be structured and what steps to take,” he added.
While the meeting wasn’t about forming an NBA superteam, it highlighted James and Carter’s roles in spearheading a bold vision for a European league, leveraging Raznatovic’s influence as the agent of Jokic, a dominant force in the NBA.
LeBron and Carter as NBA Ambassadors in Europe
LeBron James, who has expressed his desire to own an NBA team after retiring, and Maverick Carter are ideal ambassadors for the NBA’s European venture, joined by Miko Raznatovic, whose client Nikola Jokic has been one of the league’s top players for the past years.
Europe already boasts the EuroLeague, a prestigious competition with passionate fans and elite clubs, raising questions about how an NBA-backed league would coexist. The NBA’s financial muscle could be a game-changer, potentially outspending the EuroLeague to attract top talent.
While deeper partnerships with the EuroLeague and FIBA have been considered, the current focus is on a standalone league. This initiative could reshape global basketball, competing with the NBA, EuroLeague, and offseason leagues like the BIG3, which offer a different style of play. With James’ star power and Raznatovic’s connections, the NBA’s European dream is gaining momentum, promising an exciting new chapter for the sport.
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