LeBron James and Kevin Gates feuding wasn’t on many people’s bingo card for 2025. The Lakers’ superstar appeared to clap back at the rapper’s comments about his wife of 11 years, Savannah James, in a recent Instagram video. It all started when Gates said: “I don’t like the way Savannah looks at LeBron,” adding that he prefers the way “white women” look at the four-time NBA champ.
Although James did not directly address Gates, he posted a photo on April 21, 2025, of Savannah looking at him and smiling. In the caption, he wrote, “Kings don’t concern themselves with the opinions of peasants,” along with a Black queen emoji, a heart, and an infinity symbol. “Where to next Queen?!?! Let’s get it!”
That same day, Gates posted another video standing by his comments. “The truth hurts but it heals and Bron I love you,” Gates said while driving in a car with his girlfriend, Brittany Renner. He added, “Look, as long as you’re being celebrated I don’t care who like me … Me and Brittany, we approve this message.”
Gates’ initial comments came during a phone conversation with an unnamed person about NBA couples and why he wouldn’t trade places with James, as seen in a video posted to his Instagram. “But I wouldn’t want to trade places with him … Because I don’t like the way Savannah look at LeBron,” Gates said in the video. “I like the way them white women look at LeBron. As soon as he walked out there, they just be like, ‘Oh, oh, oh.’”
Gates referred to Savannah as “the warden of the jail,” who’s trying to “police” LeBron. “His spirit is so loving and giving it hurt me to see that,” Gates said. “I know a lot of people are going to hate what I just said but I’m just gonna be honest … I love LeBron and I hate that for him.” Savannah has yet to publicly address the situation.
James and Savannah met when they were students at rival high schools in his native Akron, Ohio, and tied the knot in 2013. They have three children: LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., 20, Bryce Maximus, 17, and Zhuri Nova, 10. Bryce, a senior shooting guard out of Sierra Canyon, Calif., announced in January that he will take his talents to Arizona. Bronny, the Lakers’ 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, signed a four-year, $7.9 million guaranteed contract with the team.
The Lakers are trailing 1-0 in their first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves. Game 2 is set for Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
Kevin Gates recently stirred controversy after making eyebrow-raising remarks about LeBron James and his longtime wife, Savannah James. In a now-viral video, the rapper questioned the dynamics of the couple’s relationship based on what he claims to have observed, and his take hasn’t gone over well with fans online.
“I don’t like the way Savannah looks at LeBron,” Gates said in the clip, suggesting that her demeanor toward the NBA star lacked admiration. He went further, contrasting Savannah with how “white women look at him,” adding, “You act like the warden of the jail, like you came here to police me.” He continued, “You not dolled up like these white women. I just couldn’t do it. It hurt me to see that. Man, you dive on the floor behind that n***a, man.”
While Gates clarified that he still has “nothing but love” for LeBron, his unsolicited opinion sparked backlash, with many calling the commentary disrespectful and out of line. LeBron James has not publicly responded to Gates’ statements. However, Savannah James appears to have subtly addressed the situation. Although she didn’t name names, a recent post suggests she is aware of the buzz surrounding Gates’ comments.
As social media continues to debate the appropriateness of Gates’ critique, many are standing firmly behind Savannah and LeBron, defending the couple’s longstanding and private relationship that has withstood the test of time and public scrutiny.
Rapper Kevin Gates’ latest remarks about LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, have ignited serious backlash from the NBA legend himself. The back-and-forth feud escalated, starting a new beef after James’ recent heated verbal clash with Stephen A. Smith as the ESPN analyst made comments on the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s son’s NBA tenure.
On April 19, Kevin Gates posted a now-viral Instagram video in which he criticized Savannah’s demeanor toward her husband during games. “He’s one of the greatest players to ever play the game, but I wouldn’t want to trade places with him,” Gates stated. His reasoning? “I don’t like the way Savannah look at LeBron. I like the way them white women look at LeBron.”
Gates went on to describe Savannah as “the warden of the jail,” claiming she polices LeBron’s every move. “When he go to do the handshake with the main player on his team … you act like I’m bothering you, b—h. I’m the greatest player in the world — one of ’em … and you act like the warden.”
Unsurprisingly, fans and critics alike were quick to call out the rapper for crossing a line, accusing him of disrespecting Savannah and promoting problematic stereotypes. But it was LeBron’s response that truly set the tone with royalty. On April 20, LeBron posted two affectionate photos with Savannah on Instagram, including a caption that left no doubt about how he felt about Gates’ remarks: “Kings don’t concern themselves with the opinions of peasants.”
In a follow-up video posted on April 20, Kevin Gates doubled down on his comments. “The truth hurts, but it heals,” he said. “And 'Bron, I love you.” He then added, “Long as you being celebrated, I don't care who don't like me. Long as you being celebrated, that's all I care about.” Even as he expressed his admiration for LeBron, saying that his views were rooted in emotional honesty: “I love LeBron and I hate that for him,” he said. “I know a lot of people gonna hate what I just said.”
James has been under constant scrutiny, primarily for his son Bronny James’ NBA career as many believe that he has made it into the Los Angeles Lakers’ main roster for his father’s influence. James' prolonged feud with Stephen A. Smith was a headline grabber in the recent times, and as his back-and-forth clash with the ESPN analyst seemingly ended, the new beef with the rapper puts the NBA veteran in the cycle of unending feud.
As for James, he has been very protective of his family, and Savannah also grabs headlines for her comments defending her family she shares with the King. The couple shares three kids Bronny James, Bryce James, and Zhuri James. The Los Angeles Lakers took the court in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves determined to even the series after a painful loss in the opener.
