{"id":864484,"date":"2026-08-22T15:08:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/864484\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T15:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T15:08:13","slug":"sylvain-francisco-reveals-how-lebron-james-prevented-his-nba-dream-i-was-annoyed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/864484\/","title":{"rendered":"Sylvain Francisco reveals how LeBron James prevented his NBA dream: ‘I was annoyed’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sylvain Francisco opened up about his move to Panathinaikos and his missed NBA opportunity. The playmaker was close to signing a guaranteed deal with the Chicago Bulls, but LeBron James’ delayed free agency decision blocked the necessary trades before Francisco’s contract deadline expired.<\/p>\n

Sylvain Francisco<\/a> was one of the hottest topics this summer in the European basketball community.<\/p>\n


\n \"Sylvain
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

\n Position
\n PG, SG\n <\/p>\n

\n Age
\n 28\n <\/p>\n

\n Height
\n 185 cm\n <\/p>\n

\n Weight
\n 79 kg\n <\/p>\n

\n Birth place
\n Creteil, France\n <\/p>\n

After a stellar season with Zalgiris<\/a> Kaunas where he was among the final candidates for the EuroLeague Most Valuable Player award, Francisco originally signed for LDLC ASVEL<\/a> Villeurbanne.<\/p>\n

Not much time passed, and Francisco decided to leave ASVEL before even suiting up for them, and signed with Panathinaikos<\/a> AKTOR Athens, as the Greens paid a buyout for him.<\/p>\n

What happened at ASVEL? <\/p>\n

In an interview with L’Equipe<\/a>, Francisco reflected on the situation at the French team:<\/p>\n

“When we learned that ASVEL was going to take some time to finalize its budget, I told my agents, \u2018We have to leave,\u2019” he said.<\/p>\n

“I think we had a good talk with Tony<\/a>; he was very clear about it. He worked hard, wanted to be thorough, but there are some things you can\u2019t control. The process took a little longer, and I decided it was time to leave.”<\/p>\n

LeBron James prevented Francisco from playing in the NBA <\/p>\n

Francisco also revealed how close he was to the NBA.<\/p>\n

The French point guard was talking a lot about pursuing his NBA dream during last season, and this year he was inches away from achieving it.<\/p>\n

As Francisco reveals, the reason for that dream still not being completed is LeBron James:<\/p>\n

“Yes, in the NBA, there were openings, at least five or six teams, many with guaranteed two-year contracts,” the French international recalled.<\/p>\n

“I had the opportunity with the Chicago Bulls<\/a>, but the trade they wanted to make beforehand got blocked because in the NBA, everyone was waiting for LeBron [James’] decision. My deadline was July 20th [to activate his release clause from ASVEL], and LeBron signed four days later.\u201d<\/p>\n

“So that’s when all the teams really started trading players, making more exchanges. It’s a shame,” the point guard admitted.<\/p>\n

“I was a little fed up, annoyed, let’s say. But it’s something I can’t control. In the end, it could be a blessing in disguise. I’m staying in Europe,” he concluded.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

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