LeBron James kicked off the new NBA season in vintage fashion, splurging over $400,000 on fine wines and luxury gifts for his Los Angeles Lakers teammates and staff. Known for his generosity and team-first mentality, James organized a lavish dinner to bring everyone together before the long journey of the season.
He even made a bold promise—if the Lakers win the NBA championship this year, each team member will receive a $30,000 Rolex watch.
The Team USA superstar returned from a triumphant summer at the Paris Olympics and decided to celebrate the beginning of the NBA season in style by treating his Lakers teammates to an extravagant night out. The Lakers, now led by head coach JJ Redick, gathered for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, high-end wines, and special surprises. LeBron, widely recognized as a wine connoisseur, handpicked luxury wines to accompany the gourmet dishes, creating a memorable team-building experience.
“This kind of dinner makes a group stronger, makes the team united, and he did a fantastic job organizing,” one Lakers player told The U.S. Sun. “Our team captain—a leader who hosts such a luxurious dinner with fantastic food and wine—really brought us together as the season starts.”
LeBron went all out, choosing some of the finest wines available to celebrate the occasion. The team enjoyed ten bottles of 1999 Petrus Pomerol, each costing $3,195, bringing the total to $31,195.
In addition, they savored ten bottles of 2016 Domaine de Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Prince Florent de Mérode for $24,500, as well as fifteen bottles of 2000 Chateau Latour Pauillac at $1,020 each.
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To finish off the evening, LeBron splurged on several bottles of 2007 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Célestins, costing $650 per bottle, for a total of $6,500. The night was filled with camaraderie, incredible food, and some of the most luxurious wines available, setting the tone for what the Lakers hope will be a championship season.
LeBron also gave a heartfelt speech during the evening, emphasizing the importance of team unity and the sacrifices required to make this season historic. He promised that if they managed to bring home the NBA championship, each member of the team would receive a $30,000 Rolex watch as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
“I’ve been playing in the league for many years now, and I have never seen anything like this before,” the player added. “LeBron was very talkative—he gave us a speech about the importance of unity, making sacrifices, and doing everything we can to make this season a historic one. He was like a big brother to all of us.”
The evening wasn’t just about wine and speeches—LeBron ensured that everyone went home with luxury gifts as well. Each player and staff member received a Louis Vuitton Christopher MM Bag, worth $3,350, totaling $217,750 for 65 bags. He also gifted the roster 30 pairs of Cartier Santos glasses at $1,595 each, totaling $47,850, and spent $181,900 on Rolex GMT-Master II watches.
To further elevate the night, LeBron also gave each team member a box of three bottles of 2004 Vega Sicilia Único, Ribera del Duero, valued at $1,425 per bottle. The gifts and generosity created an atmosphere of excitement and motivation as the Lakers geared up for the season.
“We all left smiling and super motivated to fight for the ring,” the player shared. “I think it was an amazing idea to get us all together and enjoy a special team dinner with the guys and the staff.”
According to a source close to LeBron, the 39-year-old went above and beyond to galvanize the Lakers and set the tone for a strong start to the campaign. “LeBron wanted to show them love and let them know he supports and appreciates them,” the source said. “Luxury wines, an amazing dinner, and great presents—it’s all about making the team more united and giving them a great night as the season starts.”
“I don’t think there is anything better to unite a team than doing things together that create an excellent bond and group dynamic,” the source added.
While LeBron’s incredible generosity hasn’t translated into immediate wins for the Lakers, the team remains optimistic. The lavish event set a positive tone for the season, and the Lakers are determined to make the most of their opportunity to contend for a championship.
With LeBron’s leadership and the added incentive of luxury gifts, the Lakers are ready to take on the challenges of the season and work towards the ultimate prize.
