LeBron James is still one of the top players in the world right now, even at 39 years old. Despite the Los Angeles Lakers not looking like the team we expected them to be, James holds the future of the franchise in his hands although his own future is up in the air right now.
James has made it clear that he wants to play with his oldest son, Bronny James. Bronny is projected to be a second-round draft selection although his play in the final months of the season could force him to sneak into the first round because season averages of 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game for the USC Trojans don’t exactly leap out. No matter which draft pick is used to acquire him, it is clear that Bronny will be an NBA player in due time, but where will he end up?
Specifically, where will LeBron James end up if he tends to play with his son? It was heavily rumored earlier in the season that Bronny James will end up with the Orlando Magic, a team that LeBron James has made clear he would never play for. In fact, The King even said he would retire before considering joining them!
Besides the Magic, the Lakers are more than open to drafting Bronny if it means keeping LeBron on the team alongside Anthony Davis for another title run. Regardless, here are the likely destinations that LeBron James and Bronny James will end up with. The King has stated that his goal is to play with his son, and these 5 destinations could end up being where the talented players end up together.
New York Knicks
Currently 18th on 2024 NBA Mock Draft Leaderboard
Draft Bronny James With 2024 Protected Pick (Own; DAL 11-30; DET 19-30 (via HOU to OKC); WAS 13-30 (via HOU to OKC)
Sign LeBron James To Veteran’s Minimum Deal
Starting Lineup: Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, LeBron James, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Key Bench Players: Donte DiVincenzo, Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, Josh Hart, Isiaha Hartenstein
The New York Knicks could potentially undergo a transformative shift by drafting Bronny James and signing LeBron James, catapulting them back into the realm of championship contention. LeBron’s arrival in New York would mark the emergence of the biggest star in the city since the days of Patrick Ewing, injecting a renewed sense of excitement and expectation into the franchise.
With the Knicks having not reached the NBA Finals since 1999, LeBron’s unparalleled talent and leadership could offer the organization its best chance yet to end this prolonged championship drought. Forming a formidable Big Four alongside Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and the recently acquired OG Anunoby, LeBron would bolster the team’s competitiveness, elevating the Knicks to the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference. Currently, the Knicks are not considered a better team than the Celtics, Bucks, and 76ers (once Embiid is back healthy).
Supported by a solid starting lineup and a deep bench featuring players like OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Donte DiVincenzo, Alec Burks, and others, the Knicks would possess a well-rounded roster capable of excelling in both offense and defense. Securing key free agency signings such as Burks and Isaiah Hartenstein would further reinforce the team’s depth and continuity, cementing their status as legitimate championship contenders.
The Knicks and LeBron might have to reach an agreement to pay James a minimum deal because that will allow the team to retain all of its core such as Bogdanovic ($19,032,850), Hart ($18,144,000), Robinson ($14,318,182), and DiVincenzo ($11,445,000) while Anunoby’s player option could be activated ($19,928,571) or he signs a long-term deal. Remember, Randle and Brunson are each making over $24 million next season as well.
In essence, the potential acquisition of Bronny and LeBron James represents a seismic shift for the Knicks, offering a long-awaited opportunity for the franchise and its devoted fanbase to reclaim their place among the NBA’s elite.
Chicago Bulls
Currently 11th on 2024 NBA Mock Draft Leaderboard
Draft Bronny James With 2024 Pick (Own; POR 15-30)
Sign LeBron James On Veteran’s Minimum Deal
Starting Lineup: Coby White, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan (Re-Sign), LeBron James, Nikola Vucevic
Key Bench Players: Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams
The Chicago Bulls could experience a resurgence by drafting Bronny James and signing LeBron James to a minimum deal. LeBron’s decision to join the Bulls would instantly make him the marquee star of the team and inject a level of excitement not seen in Chicago since the Michael Jordan era.
Despite being the second-round draft pick in the mock draft, Bronny’s potential alongside LeBron could provide the Bulls with a dynamic duo to build around for the future. Pairing LeBron with established talents like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic would create a formidable starting lineup, while the addition of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso would bolster the team’s depth and versatility.
DeMar DeRozan will be a free agent this summer, and he could be brought back on a three or four-year deal if James accepts a minimum deal. LaVine is making $43,031,940 next season and Vucevic will eat up $20,000,000, while Lonzo Ball will likely accept his $21,395,348 player option to remain with the team. Coby White ($12,000,000) and Alex Caruso ($9,890,000) will be the final pieces coming off the bench earning decent money to bolster depth.
With a lineup featuring a blend of scoring, playmaking, and defensive prowess, the Bulls would emerge as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference. LeBron’s leadership and championship experience would provide invaluable guidance to the team, elevating their performance on both ends of the floor. In essence, the combination of Bronny and LeBron James in Chicago would not only revitalize the Bulls but also position them as a force to be reckoned with in the quest for an NBA title.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Currently 12th on 2024 NBA Mock Draft Leaderboard
Draft Bronny James With 2024 Pick (All but least / less favorable of OKC, HOU 5-30, LAC and UTH 11-30 then other to TOR (via OKC to IND)
Sign LeBron James On Max Deal
Starting Lineup: Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
Key Bench Players: Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng
The Oklahoma City Thunder could undergo a seismic transformation by drafting Bronny James with their 2024 pick and signing LeBron James to a max deal. The addition of Bronny alongside LeBron would instantly elevate the Thunder into championship contention. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG), who is already establishing himself as an MVP candidate, the Thunder have laid the foundation for success as they look to win a title this season. Even if they don’t, they have the means to sign The King.
With cap space available (Gordon Hayward’s $31.5 million contract is off the books this summer), Oklahoma City could pursue LeBron on a max deal, creating a starting lineup that boasts unprecedented talent and experience. Pairing LeBron with rising stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and promising prospects such as Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren would create a formidable core capable of competing with the best teams in the league.
Additionally, the Thunder’s depth would be bolstered by key bench players like Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams, ensuring a well-rounded roster. The potential signing of LeBron and the drafting of Bronny not only offer immediate championship aspirations but also set the stage for long-term success, as Bronny develops alongside the Thunder’s young talent even after LeBron’s eventual retirement. In essence, the Thunder have the opportunity to create a dynasty with the acquisition of LeBron and Bronny James, solidifying their place among the NBA’s elite for years to come.
Orlando Magic
Currently 16th on 2024 NBA Mock Draft Leaderboard
Draft Bronny James With 2024 Pick
Sign LeBron James With Max Deal
Starting Lineup: LeBron James, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Key Bench Players: Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke, Jonathan Isaac
The Orlando Magic have had an excellent season this year, going 30-25 with Paolo Banchero following up his Rookie of the Year campaign with an All-Star appearance (23.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG). Still, they could undergo a transformative shift by drafting Bronny James with their 2024 pick and signing LeBron James to a max deal.
Orlando’s core of Jonathan Isaac ($17,400,000), Cole Anthony ($12,900,000), Paolo Banchero ($12,160,800), Wendell Carter ($11,950,000 ), and Jalen Suggs ($9,188,385) isn’t eating away too much of the cap space and LeBron James could end up being their highest-paid player. Even if James prefers not to live in Orlando, Florida, he could get the deal he is looking for while making sure his son is in good hands moving forward.
Pairing LeBron with a promising young core led by Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Paolo Banchero would create a formidable starting lineup. LeBron’s leadership and championship experience would provide invaluable guidance to the team, accelerating their development and competitiveness. With a deep bench featuring players like Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke, and Jonathan Isaac, the Magic would possess a well-rounded roster capable of competing at the highest level.
The acquisition of LeBron and the drafting of Bronny not only offer immediate championship aspirations but also set the stage for long-term success, as the Magic’s young core continues to grow and mature behind budding head coach Jamahl Mosley.
Toronto Raptors
Currently 17th on 2024 NBA Mock Draft Leaderboard
Draft Bronny James With 2024 Pick (1-6 Own; 7-30 to SAN; IND 4-30; Least / less favorable of OKC, LAC, HOU 5-30 and UTH 11-30 (via OKC to IND)
Sign LeBron James To Max Deal
Starting Lineup: LeBron James, Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl
Key Bench Players: Gradey Dick, Gary Trent Jr., Jalen McDaniels, Chris Boucher
The Toronto Raptors could make a significant leap forward by drafting Bronny James with their 2024 pick and signing LeBron James to a max deal as they only have $80,051,246 occupied in salary next season. They will have space to sign James to a long-term, max deal and make sure he is on the team by using their 2024 first-round pick immediately for Bronny.
LeBron’s decision to join Toronto would mark the return of a superstar presence reminiscent of the Kawhi Leonard era, offering immediate championship aspirations. Pairing LeBron with a talented core led by Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, and Scottie Barnes would create a formidable starting lineup capable of competing with the best teams in the league.
The Raptors’ depth would be bolstered by key bench players like Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, and Gradey Dick, ensuring a well-rounded roster. LeBron’s leadership and championship experience would provide invaluable guidance to the team, accelerating their development and competitiveness.
Furthermore, the long-term potential of the Raptors’ young core would be amplified by Bronny’s presence, setting the stage for sustained success beyond LeBron’s tenure. In essence, the Raptors have the opportunity to establish themselves as a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference and position Bronny for immediate success under the mentorship of LeBron James.
Source: NBADraftNet, RealGM
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