"After my pulmonary embolism, no one wanted to sign me, but then LeBron called my agent" - Mirza Teletovic revealed a gentleman gesture by LeBron James
In the summer of 2012, the Brooklyn Nets brought in the Bosnian national team player Mirza Teletovic. Arguably, the most elite player in the EuroLeague had just come off the best season of his career, averaging 21.7 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting an incredible 43.7 percent from three-point range.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Teletovic moved very well on the court for his size, and his shooting hand was one of the best in Europe at the time. As the league was slowly entering the pace and space era, Teletovic seemed like a perfect fit as a stretch four. Although he had a few solid seasons in the league, fans will mostly remember him for his altercation with LeBron James.
Teletovic confronted LeBron
During the 2013-14 season, in the second quarter of one regular-season game, after a hard foul by Teletovic as LeBron drove to the basket, tensions flared when Teletovic stood his ground and stared down the four-time MVP. LeBron, visibly annoyed, confronted him, but the situation was quickly defused by teammates and referees.
Even though the conflict ended there, LeBron didn't hold it against him and actually made an incredible gesture toward Teletovic during perhaps the toughest moments of his life.
"Few people know who King James really is. After my pulmonary embolism, when no one wanted to sign me, he called my agent and offered for me to play with him in Cleveland," Teletovic commented on the NBA Hoopster Instagram profile.
Teletovic never had an easy life
The trade eventually didn't happen, but LeBron showed a phenomenal gesture despite the fact that he could have held a grudge against Teletovic for the on-court roughness. Still, what happens on the court stays on the court in the heat of the battle and LeBron's gesture is an excellent example of that.
On the other hand, Teletovic never had an easy life. His country was at war for its independence when he was just a child. Years later, Teletovic, who went undrafted, shared his story about the journey before the NBA.
"You don't know the situation at that time. You don't even have shoes. The basketball court is like 300 meters from my house. And all my friends and me are playing and then you hear the sirens like the grenades start falling down and just run to your house and hide. If I have to die, I die. For basketball, I will do anything," he recalled.
LeBron is one of the greatest ever, both on and off the court
The love and dedication Teletovic had for the game, the same game that brought him joy as a child and served as an escape from the harsh reality he faced, is nothing short of remarkable. Basketball was always his top priority throughout his career, and in the end, it rewarded him with a beautiful career in which he went toe to toe with some of the best to ever lace them up.
In the end, Mirza overcame all of life's obstacles and now enjoys a well-deserved retirement. As for LeBron, this gesture confirmed that he is one of the greatest ever, both on and off the court.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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