Bronny James, NBA draft and how it could affect LeBron James’ future
LeBron James looked tired.
The 19-time All-Star’s dominance fluctuated throughout the NBA playoffs culminating in the Western Conference Finals. In Game 2, he scored just one dunk with 6:49 left in the first quarter and breathed in a fumbled windmill dunk that had Ball Arena reveling in his embarrassment. He finished the series with a playoff career-high 31 points in the first half of Game 4 on Monday, but had just nine points in the second half as the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets.
The court’s exasperation continued in the press room as he reflected on his future on the same day his classmate Carmelo Anthony retired.
“We will see what happens in the future. I don’t know,” James, 38, told reporters of his potential return. “I have a lot to think about, to be honest, and just with me personally going forward with basketball, I have a lot to think about.”
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One of the key factors that could influence his decision is the possibility of playing with his 18-year-old son Bronny James.
What are LeBron James’ most recent comments about playing with Bronny?
LeBron James spoke to the media after a Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. It was the same day Bronny signed up to play basketball in Southern California. The four-time Finals MVP has expressed how proud he is of his son, who will be the first member of his family to go to college.
The NBA’s king of goalscorers acknowledged that the potential to play with Bronny is still a hope for him, but his outlook has changed.
“I was serious and I still am,” James said after Monday’s fourth game, according to The Athletic. “Obviously I have to continue to keep my body and my mind fresh. I think my mind, the most important thing. If my mind goes away, my body will just say, ‘OK, what do we do? ?’
“But, at the end of the day, whether I am or not, I did what I had to do in this league and my son is going to continue his journey. And whatever his journey, whatever his journey, he’ll do what’s best for him. … So just because it’s my aspiration or my goal doesn’t mean it’s his. And I absolutely agree with that.
When did LeBron James say he wanted to play with Bronny?
LeBron James first made headlines that he wanted to play in the NBA with Bronny when he spoke with The Athletic in February 2022 about his future, including the possibility of a third run with the team. his hometown, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“My senior year will be played with my son,” he said. “Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I will be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for a year. It’s not about the money then.
He outlined his desire to play with Bronny again, while changing the details, in a January article from ESPN.
“I gotta be on the floor with my boy, I gotta be on the floor with Bronny,” James said. “…Either in the same uniform or a match against him. I don’t mean like [guarding one another all game] – because he’s a point guard and I’m a, at this point now, I’m playing center or whatever the team needs me to be. But I would love to do the whole thing with Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. That would be ideal, for sure.”
In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. and his son Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father-son duo to be on the same MLB (Seattle Mariners) team.
What did Bronny James say about playing in the NBA?
Bronny James hasn’t spoken much to the public about his career aspirations.
In a 2022 Sports Illustrated article about the James family, the young guard shared his thoughts on his own hoop dreams.
“I’ll see what happens,” he said. “I’m going to play basketball. If [I] go down that path, then that’s what it is.
And if the NBA doesn’t call it, “I’m cool.”
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With the possibility of making it into the NBA — a fake ESPN draft in February listed him as a top 10 lottery pick, despite USA TODAY not selecting him in the first round — Bronny was hopeful. He has been invited to participate in high profile showcases including the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit.
“I still have confidence in myself,” he said during training for this final event. “I try to do that, to keep myself in a healthy state of mind. But I have goals.”
What is LeBron James’ contract situation with the Lakers and how does that affect the likelihood of him playing with Bronny?
Last year, LeBron James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension that takes effect next season. The deal signed him for the 2023-24 season and includes a player option for 2024-25.
The contract doesn’t include a no-trade clause, and since Bronny would most likely be drafted in the 2024 offseason, LeBron could find a way to be shipped to whatever team his son lands on.
For the Win points out that James could stop playing the year between Bronny entering the league following the NBA’s voluntary retirement rule. If he were to retire this offseason, he must sit out one season and forfeit the first year’s salary of his extension. Then he could pull a Michael Jordan, step aside, and sign wherever he wants.
Another option is that he could undergo surgery for the torn tendon in his right foot. According to pennmedicine.org, the recovery process could have him out for months and then he could be healthy before the 2024-25 season, ready to play with his son.
USA Today
