LA Lakers star LeBron James says the National Basketball Association won’t miss Donald Trump after the president said he’d switch off matches if there were protests.

Trump accused players in the league of being ’disrespectful’ for taking a knee during the national anthem. 

James said: "I really don't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership. I can speak for all of us who love the game and we could [not] care less."

James, who is the face of a campaign leading up to the presidential election in November to protect African Americans’ right to vote, said fans appreciated athletes standing up for social injustice.

"Our game is in a beautiful position and we've got fans all over the world. Our fans love and respect what we try to bring to the game, what's right and what's wrong."

He and Trump have clashed before as James called him a ‘bum’ and a 'so-called’ president in 2017 while Trump hit back by saying he preferred former Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan.

The NBA returned on July 30 and the majority of players have taken a knee since the league began in solidarity with the recent Black Lives Matter protests.

The league has also announced a foundation which will see $300 million invested in employment opportunities for black communities.