Former Cav Might Bring LeBron James to EuroLeague Final Four

Cedi Osman was selected with the 31st pick in the 2015 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. There, he had a close relationship with LeBron James, one of the best players in league history. Now playing for Panathinaikos, Osman might be the reason LeBron attends the EuroLeague Final Four.

Former Cav Might Bring LeBron James to EuroLeague Final Four

For the first time in its history, the EuroLeague Final Four will be played outside of Europe, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Panathinaikos will try to defend its title, and their star Osman wants to see LeBron in the stands. Speaking about it, he said,

“I don’t know about Bron. I mean, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but who knows? Maybe if I shoot him a text, if he has some free time, maybe for a couple of days. Why not? For the Final Four, obviously, I’ll have my closest people: my family, my wife, my nieces, my lucky charms. I’m very excited. But I might text him.”

Osman and LeBron were teammates on the 2017-18 Cleveland Cavaliers team that reached the NBA Finals. Usually, LeBron is playing in late May and early June and cannot attend the EuroLeague Final Four. Yet, this year, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round, and he can attend it. The Final Four is scheduled for May 23 – May 25 in Abu Dhabi.

If LeBron James decides to come and watch the EuroLeague Final Four, he will be the biggest star to ever attend it, and the biggest star in Abu Dhabi. From a marketing standpoint, it is a no-brainer for him to come to Abu Dhabi.

Cedi Osman LeBron James Friendship

Osman was a rookie when LeBron played his last for the Cavs. There is a story that their friendship began during training camp in an unusual way. Osman stepped on LeBron’s foot and sprained his ankle. But the King noticed his work ethic and respected his way of going about things. In one interview, Osman said,

“That was the time when I felt I started earning that respect. That’s what he liked to see, that I’m fighting hard, that I’m working hard.”

Osman spent six seasons playing for the Cavaliers and one year with the San Antonio Spurs before leaving the NBA. But the relationship he forged with LeBron goes way beyond the one season they spent together.

In the 2018 playoffs, when James hit a game-winning shot to beat Indiana, the first person he ran to was Osman. In an interview during his Lakers days, LeBron said,

“My relationship is growing stronger with Cedi. Even though I am on another coast, I’ve been keeping up with him.”

Some sources close to the players say that during their lone season in Cleveland, LeBron wanted to know more about Turkey and Cedi’s culture than anything else. The two had a chance to play again for the Lakers, but Osman declined and decided to return to Europe.

NBA Stars at EuroLeague Matches

This will not be the first time a big-time NBA star to attended the Final Four. Last year, after the Bucks’ early exit, Giannis Antetokounmpo flew to Berlin to support his brother Kostas Antetokounmpo, who won the title with Panathinaikos. In 2023, Kristaps Porzingis flew to Kaunas, Lithuania, to follow the games.

Kevin Durant has also attended EuroLeague games after being invited by his close friend, Mike James. KD watched the playoffs, but he has not been at the Final Four. He is also a fan of European basketball and maybe the key to NBA Europe expansion.