In true Gilbert Arenas fashion, the former NBA star and resident online wild card decided to hijack the LeBron James free agency conversation with a hilarious (and unhinged) Instagram rant, jokingly threatening to “hold Bronny James hostage” in response to LeBron’s now-viral trip to Cleveland.
LeBron recently visited Ohio, practiced at the Cavaliers’ facility, and posted a cryptic Instagram story of himself on a golf course wearing a “Welcome Home” hat.
The internet exploded with speculation: Is the King planning a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers? Is this a hint? Or just another social media masterclass in trolling? Amid all the noise, Arenas saw his moment and delivered.
“Mm hmm. It’s been very, very quiet on these free agent streets, and you wanna show up, pop out in Ohio at a golf course with the Welcome Home hat on.”
“One, nobody golfs in Ohio, okay? Yeah, you only got one golf course in the top two hundred. Ain’t nobody going there, okay?”
“Two, we seen your swing. N***a, you don’t golf, okay? That’s not what you do. You play video games. Yeah, you Madden. Yeah, you like Madden and Call of Duty. So, you don’t need to be on the golf course right about now in Ohio talking about Welcome Home.”
“What’s the plan, n***a? Yeah. Huh? I got the checks. I don’t got the plan. Yeah, yeah, yeah. If you think you about to just leave us with the team we got, n***a, you fool, okay?”
“We got your son. Yeah, Bronny James ain’t going nowhere, huh? Yeah, you ain’t leaving your family, huh? You think you’re the only one that got a plan around here, nigga? I got my mask on, boy. Hey, I’m showing up to Vegas right now. Huh? Operation: Hold Barney hostage until that n***a come home.”
The internet loved it. Even LeBron himself commented on the post: “Man shut yo dumbass up Gil!! .”
Bronny chimed in too with a string of laughing emojis: “ .”
https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:DLs6ucbhs2t
While it was clearly in jest, Arenas’ video had perfect timing. The speculation around LeBron’s future is swirling louder than ever.
After exercising his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Lakers, many assumed he was staying put. But reports soon emerged that LeBron is keeping his options open, especially if the Lakers cannot build a title-contending roster around him and Luka Doncic.
Per Rich Paul, LeBron’s longtime agent, four teams have already reached out to express trade interest in the 40-year-old star. And with the Lakers missing out on Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and several other key targets before settling for Deandre Ayton, the sense of urgency around LeBron’s future has only grown.
But with LeBron’s swing being roasted by Kevin Love, his “Welcome Home” hat causing a frenzy, and Arenas turning Bronny into the NBA’s most important hostage, the situation has turned into the league’s most entertaining summer drama.
One thing is clear: as long as LeBron James’ next move remains undecided, Gilbert Arenas will be there, mask on, microphone ready, and apparently, hostage plan in hand.
