Lakers’ LeBron James Has Somewhat Changed Mind On Playing With Son

With the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, attention shifts to LeBron James and his future, both in the league and with the Lakers.

James has previously expressed his desire to play alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA if the opportunity arises. With a player option in his contract and Bronny potentially entering the league, the pieces might be falling into place for this to happen.

The uncertainty looms over LeBron’s tenure in Los Angeles, raising the possibility of him opting out of his contract to join whichever team drafts Bronny.

However, recent reports suggest that LeBron’s stance on this matter has shifted, adding intrigue to his upcoming free agency decision.

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, James has somewhat changed his mind on the importance of teaming up with Bronny James.

“The idea of them playing together is not a priority, it’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind. Rich Paul’s goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there’s the right developmental system or organization, a place that can take a young player like Bronny James, who went five months without playing after his heart episode certainly limited him in his season at USC. If he does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.”

This marks a significant shift for LeBron, as it seemed like all signs were pointing towards the realization of this plan. However, Bronny’s underwhelming performance with the USC Trojans raises doubts, and despite his entry into the draft, there’s no guarantee of his selection.

LeBron’s primary focus appears to be on winning during his remaining time in the league. Meanwhile, he wants Bronny to prioritize his development and avoid rushing into the NBA prematurely.

While the idea of father-son duo in the NBA is appealing, pushing Bronny into the league too soon, especially after a challenging college season, could stunt his growth as a player.

LeBron James has numerous options for his offseason plans, but banking on him and Bronny teaming up may not be the wisest bet. As circumstances evolve, LeBron’s offseason decisions might deviate significantly from his initial intentions.