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It appears LeBron James’ dream of playing with his son in the NBA could come true as soon as the 2024-25 campaign.
The Los Angeles Lakers are “willing to explore the notion of adding Bronny James next season,” according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Anthony Slater and Jovan Buha.
The Athletic added:
“This stance, the source said, is rooted in the reality that James’ happiness truly matters to the organization. They will potentially have their 2024 first-round pick (depending on if the New Orleans Pelicans, as part of the blockbuster Davis trade, choose to receive that pick or defer to 2025) and have two second-round picks that could help to that end (the Clippers’ and the less favorable of the Grizzlies’ and Wizards’ selections).”
James has long made it known that he wants to play with his son in the NBA before he retires.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last month on The Hoop Collective, “I’ve got people telling me, this guy’s going in the first round, no doubt and not necessarily because of what he’s showing at USC, but just because of the dynamics around the pick.”
Should the Lakers select Bronny, that would likely mean the franchise has a better chance of retaining James beyond this season. The four-time NBA champion has a player option for 2024-25 that he can decline to become a free agent.
Whichever team lands Bronny might have a real chance at signing James in free agency.
The possibility of adding Bronny is intriguing, but the Lakers have a legitimate chance to trade for an All-Star-level player this summer, and that should be a priority if the franchise hopes to win another title.
The likes of Dejounte Murray, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and Kyrie Irving have been rumored as potential targets of the Purple and Gold, and the possibility to add any one of those players shouldn’t be ignored.
