LeBron James holds a $51.4 million player option this offseason. The four-time NBA MVP is widely expected to become a free agent for the first time in six years. Due to his stated desire to play with his son, there has been speculation that the four-time NBA MVP could sign with a team that drafts Bronny James. That is unlikely to be the case, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Speaking on Up & Adams, the NBA insider stated:
It would not surprise me in the coming weeks, if a team does reach out to Rich Paul or anyone else around Bronny James or anyone else who has any idea or LeBron James himself, and says, ‘Hey, if we draft Bronny James, would you come as well LeBron?’ And the answer to that is going to be no, as of right now. That’s not a given, that’s not something that’s going to be preordained.
The latest reports have suggested that a return to the Los Angeles Lakers remains the most likely option for LeBron. He continued to play at an elite level in 2023-24, his 21st season in the league. The four-time NBA champion averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from three-point range and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
Could LeBron James and Bronny James team up on the Los Angeles Lakers?
While LeBron James may not join the team that drafts Bronny James, they could still be teammates next season. The Los Angeles Lakers appears to be the draft floor for the former USC Trojans guard. Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported:
In terms of the draft, the Lakers seem as if they’ll be the draft floor for Bronny James at pick 55, a player the team conducted an interview with in Chicago, according to sources not authorized to publicly discuss draft strategy. [h/t Los Angeles Times]
While Bronny struggled in his lone season of college basketball, he impressed at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. His draft ceiling remains unclear, however, he will likely hear his name called if he remains in June’s draft. While the former four-star prospect maintained his college eligibility – he has until May 29th to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft – he appears to have done enough to ensure he is drafted.
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