LeBron James Jokes He 'Might've Pulled an Eli Manning' if Memphis Drafted Him in 2003

The NBA star also suggested the Grizzlies franchise should move to Nashville.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:03pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp planes of blue, yellow, and red representing the colors of the Memphis Grizzlies and Nashville Predators. The image conveys a sense of tension and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Grizzlies franchise.A cubist interpretation of the ongoing tension between LeBron James and the Memphis Grizzlies, hinting at the potential relocation of the franchise to Nashville.Today in Nashville

In a recent YouTube appearance, 41-year-old NBA legend LeBron James joked that if the Memphis Grizzlies had won the 2003 NBA Draft lottery and selected him with the No. 1 overall pick, he might have pulled an 'Eli Manning' and refused to play for the franchise. James also lamented having to travel to Memphis as an aging player and suggested the Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville.

Why it matters

LeBron's comments highlight the challenges small-market NBA franchises can face in attracting and retaining top talent, especially as players gain more leverage and influence over their careers. The Grizzlies' history of financial struggles and poor performance has made the city an undesirable destination for some players, raising questions about the long-term viability of the franchise in Memphis.

The details

In his appearance on the 'Bob Does Sports' YouTube show, James joked that if the Grizzlies had won the 2003 NBA Draft lottery, he 'might've pulled an Eli Manning and not shown up.' James was referring to the 2004 NFL Draft, when quarterback Eli Manning and his agent famously told the San Diego Chargers he would not play for them even if selected No. 1 overall. The Chargers picked him anyway, but traded him on draft day to the New York Giants. James also lamented having to travel to Memphis as an aging player, saying 'You think I want to do sh** in Memphis on a random Thursday?' The NBA star even suggested the Grizzlies should move 200 miles east to Nashville, citing the city's larger population, established sports culture, and status as the 'Music City.'

  • In 2003, the Grizzlies' first-round pick was owned by the Detroit Pistons due to a conditional trade made in 1997 when the team was still in Vancouver.
  • The Grizzlies were founded in 1995 in Vancouver and played six seasons there before relocating to Memphis in 2001.

The players

LeBron James

A 41-year-old NBA superstar who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2018 and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Eli Manning

A former NFL quarterback who played for the New York Giants from 2004 to 2019 and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Darko Miličić

A Serbian professional basketball player who was selected 2nd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2003 NBA Draft, a pick that was originally owned by the Grizzlies.

Carmelo Anthony

A future Hall of Fame NBA player who was selected 3rd overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, considered one of the best draft classes in league history.

Dwyane Wade

A former NBA player who was selected 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and is a future Hall of Famer.

Chris Bosh

A former NBA player who was selected 4th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and is a future Hall of Famer.

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What they’re saying

“(The Grizzlies') best chance would have been in 2003 if they had won the (NBA draft) lottery. And I might've pulled an Eli Manning and not shown up.”

— LeBron James, NBA Player

“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.”

— LeBron James, NBA Player

What’s next

The Grizzlies' ownership and management will likely have to address LeBron's comments and consider whether a potential relocation to Nashville could be a viable option for the franchise's long-term future.

The takeaway

LeBron's candid remarks about his distaste for playing in Memphis highlight the challenges small-market NBA teams face in attracting and retaining top talent, especially as players gain more leverage in the league. The Grizzlies' history of financial struggles and poor performance has made the city an undesirable destination for some players, raising questions about the franchise's long-term viability in its current location.