For the longest time, LeBron James had stated that playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA was a big goal of his. Recently, however, LeBron hasn’t quite been as firm on the topic when speaking publicly, and NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski says the Los Angeles Lakers superstar no longer views it as a priority.
“In my conversations with Rich Paul, who obviously represents LeBron James but will also represent Bronny James, is that the idea of them playing together is not a priority; it’s not foremost, at least any longer, in LeBron James’ mind,” Wojnarowski said on NBA Today.
“Rich Paul’s goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there’s the right developmental system, 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,” Wojnarowski continued. “If he does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.”
“What Rich Paul said was, if organically somehow they ended up together, that would be great,” Wojnarowski stated. “But you look at the Lakers’ draft assets, No. 17, that’s a really important pick for the Lakers probably to use in a big trade. You’re not gonna use it on Bronny James at 17. And then they have No. 55. He could very well be gone by then.”
(starts at 2:27 mark):
While it would be special to see LeBron and Bronny play on the same team, what’s important for the 19-year-old’s career is that he ends up in the right situation. He needs to go to a team that is very patient with him and has a proper setup in place for him to develop his game.
After suffering that cardiac arrest in July 2023, Bronny averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for USC last season. I don’t think he is ready to play significant minutes in the NBA, and as Wojnarowski said, he would be spending time in the G League if he does go pro.
There is also another angle here, and that is Bronny not entering the draft. He declared for the 2024 NBA Draft but has maintained his college eligibility and entered the transfer portal as well. If Rich Paul and everyone else involved here feels there is no right situation in the NBA for Bronny right now, they might just wait another year.
Adrian Wojnarowski Expects LeBron James To Sign A Multi-Year Deal With The Lakers
So, we can’t say for sure what’s going to happen with regard to Bronny and the same applies, to an extent, for LeBron as well. The 20-time All-Star can be a free agent in the summer if he opts out of his $51.4 million player option with the Lakers for 2023-24 and Wojnarowski spoke about his future too. (starts at 4:18 mark):
“In all likelihood, he is back with the Lakers,” Wojnarowski said. “It will just depend on what is the structure of a deal, two years, three years perhaps after he opts out.”
It has been reported that the Lakers are open to giving LeBron a $164 million extension and drafting Bronny. It seems clear they’ll do whatever it takes to ensure James, who averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game this season, doesn’t leave the team. It appears they might not have to draft Bronny for that, though, based on what Wojnarowski reported.
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