Veteran broadcaster Dan Patrick stirred the pot when he called out Bronny James for missing Luka Doncic’s extension press conference, which marked a major turning point in the Los Angeles Lakers’ future. While LeBron James offered his congratulations via FaceTime, citing vacation as the reason for his absence, it was the younger James who drew Patrick’s ire.
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, the host didn’t hold back:
“He signs a contract extension, a three-year deal. I believe it’s two years with a player option. A lot of players were there to celebrate. LeBron James was not there, although he did FaceTime Luka.”
“Now, here’s the curious thing about all of that. LeBron was posting about playing golf at the time, on vacation. I’m guessing he knew this was coming. Okay, he’s on vacation, fair. But the one person I thought should have absolutely been there was his son, Bronny James.”
“If Bronny wants to stick around on this team after LeBron eventually leaves, then that’s your teammate. You show up. That was surprising to me. Bronny James should have been there. You’re the last guy on the roster. You show up. Show support.”
“It just felt like: ‘Hey, my dad’s LeBron, we’re on vacation.’ But that’s when you step up and say, ‘Dad, that’s my team. That’s my teammate. I need to be there.’ If LeBron didn’t want to be there, fine.”
“But it starts to feel like there’s a passive-aggressive game going on, some back-and-forth like a European League rivalry. ‘I’m working out at the old Clippers facility’, okay. But you should be there. That moment was important.”
His critique stemmed from the optics; Luka had just signed a three-year, $165 million extension to remain with the Lakers through 2028, cementing his place as the future of the franchise. While several teammates, head coach JJ Redick, and GM Rob Pelinka were present, neither LeBron nor Bronny attended the celebratory event.
Dan’s point wasn’t just about presence. It was about symbolism. Bronny, who has just begun carving out a place in the NBA, has the chance to develop his own identity separate from the immense shadow of his father.
Being present at Luka’s moment could have sent a message: that Bronny understands what it means to be part of a team, to respect the hierarchy, and to support the new leader of the franchise, not just as LeBron’s son, but as a teammate in his own right.
Bronny’s absence felt even more pronounced given that he and LeBron were golfing around the time of the press conference, as seen on social media. While it’s entirely fair for players to enjoy their offseason, Patrick questioned the priorities involved.
LeBron & Bronny golfing together ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/wCQAOMpeTX
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 3, 2025
To be clear, Luka seems unbothered. He got his extension, he’s in the best shape of his career, and the franchise is clearly building around him. He’s locked in for the foreseeable future and could be eligible for a record $417 million supermax in 2028, potentially the largest contract in NBA history. For now, the Mavericks’ former star is thriving in purple and gold.
Bronny, for his part, is coming off an encouraging Summer League showing where he averaged 13 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds across four games. His defense was especially praised, and head coach JJ Redick is reportedly envisioning him in the mold of a high-energy defensive specialist like T.J. McConnell or Davion Mitchell. He’s slowly building trust and carving out a role, but appearances still matter.
That said, Patrick’s take may be overstating the impact. Other key Lakers like Austin Reaves were also absent. Offseasons are fluid. The LeBron-Luka relationship still appears strong, and there’s no indication of any real friction.
Still, in the world of NBA optics, every move or lack thereof draws scrutiny. For Bronny James, this was a missed opportunity to stand tall on a day that belonged to someone else.
