Jordan famously explained to a friend his refusal to support a Black candidate for the U.S. Senate against North Carolina incumbent Jesse Helms – who advocated for segregation and later filibustered against establishment of the Martin Luther King Day holiday – with the phrase, “ Republicans buy shoes, too .” He later claimed it was meant as a joke.

Now, one of his former teammates has spoken out about James' future. Udonis Haslem, who played with James during his stint with the Miami Heat, made an appearance on " NBA Today" and revealed that he believes the all-time great could finish his career somewhere other than the Lakers.