LeBron James Jokes About Almost 'Pulling an Eli Manning' on Grizzlies Draft Day

James says he never would have played for the Grizzlies, even if they had won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game or draft lottery event, with sharp planes of color representing the energy and intensity of the NBA.LeBron James' comments about almost refusing to play for the Grizzlies in 2003 reflect the franchise's ongoing struggles to attract top talent and build a consistent winner.Denver Today

In a recent interview, NBA superstar LeBron James joked that he might have 'pulled an Eli Manning' and refused to play for the Memphis Grizzlies if they had won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery and selected him with the No. 1 overall pick. James says the only chance the Grizzlies had of getting him was in 2003, but he's glad he ended up with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead.

Why it matters

James' comments highlight the long-standing speculation about the Grizzlies potentially relocating from Memphis to Nashville, as well as the franchise's struggles to build a consistent winner and attract top talent over the years. The 2003 NBA Draft was a pivotal moment in league history, and James' remarks provide an interesting 'what if' scenario about how things could have played out differently.

The details

In the interview, James said he 'might have pulled an Eli Manning' if the Grizzlies had won the 2003 lottery, referring to when Manning told the San Diego Chargers he would sit out his rookie season if they drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick. The Grizzlies ended up with the No. 2 pick that year, which they traded to the Detroit Pistons. James was ultimately selected by his hometown Cavaliers, launching his Hall of Fame career.

  • In 2003, the Grizzlies had a 6.4% chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery.
  • The Grizzlies' lease with FedExForum is set to expire in 2029.

The players

LeBron James

A future Hall of Fame NBA player who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Eli Manning

An NFL quarterback who famously told the San Diego Chargers he would not play for them if they drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2004.

Jerry West

The former general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, who acknowledged in 2023 that the 1997 trade that sent the Grizzlies' 2003 first-round pick to the Detroit Pistons was an 'ill-advised decision'.

Hubie Brown

The legendary NBA coach who was the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2003-04 season when they won 50 games and made the playoffs.

Robert Pera

The current owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, who has reportedly considered moving the franchise to Las Vegas in the past.

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What they’re saying

“F--- yeah. Yeah, random f---ing Tuesday in Memphis, staying at the f---ing Hyatt at 41 years old. You think I wanna do that shit? Being in Memphis on a random ass Thursday.”

— LeBron James

“Memphis, which probably should be in Nashville, should be an Eastern Conference team. Definitely should be in Nashville. It should be an Eastern Conference team... Just do everybody a favor and move that team to Nashville. There are no great hotels in Memphis. I love the people of Memphis. They are incredible. Shoutout to the people of Memphis. I love them. But, just from an NBA standpoint, there's not a sauna or a hot tub in sight.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Player

“My mind was moving fast. I was thinking about a lot of different possibilities. I was thinking about Chicago winning it because I'd been a Bulls fan when I was younger. I knew New York was in there. Not everyone was rooting for Cleveland [40 miles from James' hometown], people had different picks. Some people wanted me to go to Miami for obvious reasons. I never thought once about Memphis.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Grizzlies' lease with FedEx Forum is set to expire in 2029, and the city of Memphis is currently working to negotiate a new deal to keep the team in the city.

The takeaway

LeBron James' comments about potentially refusing to play for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003 highlight the franchise's long-standing struggles to attract top talent and build a consistent winner. While relocation to Nashville has been discussed, the Grizzlies remain committed to staying in Memphis for now, though their long-term future in the city remains uncertain.