While the belief has long been that Lebron James wants to join his son Bronny James on his first NBA team, a new report suggests that has now become a secondary goal for the league legend.
Last year, James created a stir when he revealed publicly one of his final dreams in the league was to play on the same team as his son. That has created a huge amount of speculation ever since and various NBA experts have suggested many teams could draft the younger James in the hope that his father opts out of his Los Angeles Lakers deal and signs with them this summer.
- Lebron James stats (2023-24): 25.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 8.3 SPG 41% 3PT
However, during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” league insider Adrian Wojnarowski claimed that a call with the agent for both Lebron and Bronny, Rich Paul, gave him the impression playing together is no longer a primary goal for the 20-time All-Star since there is a good chance his son may be playing in the G-League next year.
“The idea of them playing together is not a priority. It’s not foremost in Lebron James’ mind,” Wojnarowski said. “Rich Paul’s goal in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to see if there is the right developmental system, a place that can take a player like Bronny James who went five months without playing after his heart episode; if he does go in the draft he very likely will spend next year in the G-League.”
While all involved opens a pairing can “organically” happen this summer if the younger James remains in the draft, Wojnarowski made it seem like even James knows the Lakers using their top pick in a trade instead of drafting his son would be a better move for the organization.
“If organically they ended up together, great, but if you look at the Lakers draft assets; No. 17 is a really important pick for the Lakers, probably to use in a big trade,” he said. “You’re not going to use it on Bronny James. And then they have No. 55. He could very well be gone by then … They may not be able to draft him, it’s not free agency.”
- Lebron James contract: 1 year, $51 million player option in 2024-25
New reports reveal 2 shocking strategies Los Angeles Lakers may use to hold on to Lebron James
Bronny James’ draft stock took a big hit after he put up underwhelming numbers for the USC Trojans in 2023-24. Last season he posted just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and averaged just over one turnover per game in 19.4 minutes.