“Just playing this team got me going” said LeBron James back in 2011, after making an impressive 51 points to win against the Orlando Magic. It was only months ago when then-Magic GM Otis Smith had belittled the then-Miami Heat star, causing the latter to come out with a response on the court. Since then, an unofficial rivalry has existed between the player and the franchise. LeBron has kept the competition with them on a toe-to-toe level, currently holding a 5-5 win record against them. The recent Lakers-Magic matchup gave him the chance to take the lead on the record. Fortunately, the 39-year-old had some known celebrities to cheer him on during the game.

As highlighted by the official Instagram account of the Lakers, amongst the thousands of attendees at the Crypto.com arena was Candace Parker herself! Given that the Los Angeles Sparks was the team to whom the WNBA star had devoted 12 years of her career, and had won the first of her three championship titles there, it would make sense for her to come and support LeBron James and co. Parker also brought company, as one of her relatives, along with her son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, sat beside her.

Also in attendance was NFL star Puka Nacua. Given his allegiance to the Los Angeles Rams, it wouldn’t have been hard to figure out who the football wide receiver was supporting too. However, in case it wasn’t clear, Nacua also donned a Lakers Jersey. It carried the Number 17, which is the same number Nacua dons when competing on the football turf.

Along with her previous decade-long association with the Los Angeles Sparks, the WNBA star has formed several bonds and earned the respect of the individuals who were somehow associated with the Lakers. Magic Johnson was amongst the first to react after Candace Parker announced her retirement from the WNBA in April. Taking to X, he paid tribute to her and wrote, “I’m so blessed to have witnessed your greatness first-hand in your 13 seasons with my Sparks, including our 2016 WNBA Championship!”.

Months later, she won hearts after she shared a picture of herself training the late Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Bianka, in basketball. Both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James made her ‘All-Time Starting Five’. This was something that Shaquille O’Neal, another Lakers legend, was not happy about, but it is what it is.

As for Puka Nacua, the NFL player has received quite a few praises from LeBron James. From playing football in high school to sharing his Madden high scores on Instagram, it is no secret that the 4x NBA Champion is a big NFL/American Football aficionado. It was less than a month ago when Puka Nacua, along with Cooper Kupp, returned to the main lineup after recovering from their respective injuries. Elated, LeBron took to X and wrote, “Good to see my boy Puka back out there tonight. Cooper too!”. By appearing in the game, Nacua may have simply been returning the favor.

Despite her history with LA, it is surprising that Candace Parker decided to make an in-person appearance at the game. After all, if things take a specific direction, then she and LeBron James could end up being rivals soon.

Both LeBron James and Candace Parker stand as potential buyers for Las Vegas Expansion Team

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is just starting off in his plans to expand the reach of the NBA. Along with introducing a new Media Rights deal, plans have been proposed to add two additional teams to the league. Las Vegas is being touted as one major candidate. After all, the NBA already holds part of its Summer League games there. Plus, other leagues like the WNBA, NFL, and NHL already have a presence there. If the NBA does take a shot at Sin City, both LeBron James and Candace Parker will be there to compete.

ESPN reported that any potential expansion talks won’t take place until the 2027-28 season. LeBron James is currently on a two-year contract, and turning 40 in a few weeks. Therefore, there is a good chance that the player will have already retired by that point in time. Being the only active billionaire player in NBA history, he holds an advantage. According to a report by Fortune, “The list of potential suitors spans LeBron James and his backers to the company that owns the Red Bull brand, according to people familiar with the situation”. However, the latest revelations from ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst revealed that former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry is creating a group, which includes Candace Parker, to bid “on a potential Las Vegas expansion team”.

Therefore, in the upcoming years, a bidding war can certainly take place. Whatever plans may be about the future, however, the Lakers-Magic game wasn’t about that. It was about displaying support. The same failed to have an effect, as the Lakers lost to the Magic by a close margin of 118-119. Despite this, LeBron James would have appreciated having the two celebrities’ support.