LeBron James may have developed a serious interest in golf, but he insists access to a course will not determine where he plays next.
Asked whether the sport could influence his free-agency decision, James made basketball’s place in the hierarchy clear.
“Golf is a sport that you can play for the rest of your life,” James said. “My main focus while I’m playing the game of basketball is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
LeBron James on people saying for his decision to join a team has to be where he can play golf year-round:
“I love golf, I really do. But golf is a sport that you can play for the rest of your life. Back to the first question that you asked when I first came up here when the end… https://t.co/hqJ4HGd5p0 pic.twitter.com/6jrLWGwh6P
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 20, 2026
That should calm any fan base worried that cold weather could eliminate its team from consideration. James joked that he can always use a golf simulator until the courses reopen, making it clear that climate is not a deal-breaker.
The comments do not reveal which team James will choose, but they remove one amusing theory from the discussion. His decision will be shaped by basketball, family and whatever he believes is best for the next chapter of his career – not by the quality of the nearest back nine. James has said a decision is approaching, although he has not announced a destination.
So Miami may have sunshine and Golden State may have famous courses, but neither can claim an automatic advantage.
LeBron will choose a basketball team first. The tee time can be arranged later.
