Duane Washington Jr., Knicks Agree To Contract

LeBron James is starting a basketball-centric podcast with J.J. Redick called “Mind the Game.”

The duo is producing the new venture with their two companies, James’ Uninterrupted and Redick’s ThreeFourTwo Productions.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve done to innovate in sports media,” James said in a statement to The Athletic. “… When I do a project, the only thing I think about is whether me and my friends would watch it. That is definitely the case with ‘Mind the Game.’ Everything doesn’t need to be designed for internet culture and clicks.”

The concept of the program is meant to be a departure from talk shows like ESPN’s “First Take,” where Redick is a contributor.

“It’s meant to be a very free-flowing conversation about the sport and about the game,” Redick said in a phone interview. “If you look at it in a very simplistic way, it’s just about basketball.”

James Harden remains away from the Philadelphia 76ers, as the team ramps up preparation for their season opener this week. It’s unclear at this point if Harden will be available when the Sixers open the regular season at the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

Harden has been away from the team for nearly two weeks. He hasn’t attended any of the 76ers preseason games. Harden continues to want a trade from Philadelphia, with his ideal destination being the LA Clippers.