LeBron James has broken barriers throughout his career, but he made it clear at Lakers media day that there is one line he won’t cross: delaying his retirement just to play with his younger son, Bryce James.
“I’m not waiting on Bryce. I don’t know what his timeline is. He’s his own young man now, like he’s down in Tucson. We’ll see what happens this year or next year. He has his own timeline. I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up, but we’ll see.”
It was a candid response from the 40-year-old entering his record 23rd NBA season. Having already fulfilled his dream of sharing the floor with his eldest son Bronny last season, LeBron has little left to prove when it comes to family milestones.
Bronny was drafted 57th overall by the Lakers, and the father-son duo made history as the first to play together in an NBA game. The possibility of one day lining up alongside both Bronny and Bryce is tantalizing for fans, but LeBron made it clear he won’t stretch his career unnaturally to make it happen.
Bryce, who begins his college career at the University of Arizona this season, is still mapping out his path to the NBA. Depending on his development, he could enter the 2026 NBA Draft as early as next summer.
The Lakers own their first-round pick in that draft, which opens the door for a potential reunion. But as LeBron hinted, that depends entirely on Bryce’s growth and draft stock, whether he projects as a lottery talent, late first-rounder, or a second-round flyer like Bronny.
If there is anyone capable of playing long enough to make it happen, it’s LeBron. Despite his age, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25. His production is still at an All-NBA level, showing virtually no decline beyond what might be expected for someone two decades into their career.
Still, LeBron emphasized that Bryce’s journey is his own. He has already cemented his legacy, both individually and with his family, by reaching heights no one else has. Whether or not Bryce joins him in Los Angeles, LeBron’s focus remains on his timeline and ensuring his final seasons are played at the highest level possible.
