Last Updated:
LeBron and Jokic’s agent were seen in France, indiscussions with James’ agent, Maverick Carter.
LeBron James, Nikola Jokic at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game (AFP)
NBA icons LeBron James and Nikola Jokic recently made headlines after being spotted together in France, fueling speculation about a potential collaboration.
While fans may have dreamed of an on-court partnership between the Los Angeles Lakers forward and the Denver Nuggets center, the meeting was not about joining forces in the NBA.
Instead, it was reportedly tied to discussions surrounding a new global basketball initiative spearheaded by James’ longtime business partner and agent, Maverick Carter.
According to a report by Front Office Sports, the gathering with Jokic’s agent Misko Raznatovic, one of the most influential figures in European basketball, was linked to a potential international basketball league backed by Carter.
A Global League Backed by Powerful Stakeholders
Plans for the new league surfaced in a Bloomberg report published in January, which revealed that Carter was exploring the possibility of raising up to $5 billion to launch a global men’s and women’s basketball league. The concept would involve teams traveling together to play games in as many as eight international cities before moving on to the next destination—offering a touring model similar to Formula 1 or global concert tours.
Major financial backers reportedly include the government of Singapore and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has made high-profile moves across global sports. The PIF is known for launching LIV Golf, acquiring English Premier League club Newcastle United, and entering partnerships with both the ATP and WTA tennis tours.
NBA Eyes Expansion in Europe
The NBA itself appears to be keeping a close watch on global basketball developments. The league has expressed interest in establishing a satellite league in Europe—an idea that would mirror its growing efforts to globalize the game.
As part of this strategy, the NBA announced this week that the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic will play regular-season games in Berlin and London in January 2026, marking a continued push to expand its presence in Europe and engage international audiences.
