Koepka: Wembanyama Could Be Best Center; LeBron May Leave Lakers

Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner who competes on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, spoke in a recent podcast interview about basketball and golf. He predicted Victor Wembanyama could become the NBA’s best center across all skill sets and said he expects LeBron James will not be a Los Angeles Laker next season but will continue playing in the NBA.

Koepka described Wembanyama’s mix of size, shooting and defense as already changing opponents’ approaches. “He’s gonna be the best center of all time at like every skill set by the time it’s all said and done,” he said, and added that teams are pushed into taking shots they would rather avoid because of Wembanyama’s reach and shot-altering ability.

On LeBron James, Koepka said he has revised his view of the veteran’s near-term plans. “I now think that he is going to not be a Laker next year but he will play in the NBA,” Koepka said, predicting James will remain in the league even if he leaves Los Angeles.

Koepka shared other NBA observations during the interview. He cited a Spurs playoff record — 10-1 after winning Game 5 in a series tied 2-2 — to show the potential importance of a single game in a series. He suggested the Milwaukee Bucks consider trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, noting the player’s age in his assessment. Koepka also questioned the idea that the COVID-19 season title was the toughest to win and described LeBron’s 2016 comeback from a 3-1 deficit as particularly impressive.

The conversation moved to golf topics including equipment access on tour, course setup and player routines. Koepka said demo trucks are plentiful at PGA Tour events and make testing clubs easy. “I think there’s probably like this week 10 to 12 trucks,” he said. He described his own approach to course preparation, saying he rarely uses a yardage book: “I’m probably the only, to my knowledge the only tour player that doesn’t.” He also argued that range finders should be allowed to speed play and called some courses “second-shot golf courses” that favor strong iron players.

Koepka appeared to discuss the PGA Championship, his preparation and his broader views on both sports during the interview.