As June approaches, people across the basketball world are not only wondering what team LeBron James will play for next season but also whether his son Bronny will declare for the NBA draft or remain at the University of Southern California for at least one more year.
It is widely believed, based on the elder James’ own words, that he wants to play alongside his son. But although he can opt out of his current contract and become a free agent this summer, plenty of people are starting to feel he will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Just before the Lakers hosted the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski gave some interesting nuggets on what the near future may hold for both the elder and younger James.
Reporting on ABC Countdown on the future of Bronny and LeBron James in the NBA together pic.twitter.com/M49pFCHFXV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 3, 2024
“I talked to Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, obviously LeBron James’ agent,” said Wojnarowski. “He will also be Bronny James’ representative. A couple of things they’re really gonna look at when they make a decision about leaving school or returning for a sophomore year at USC: Number one, Rich Paul and LeBron James, Bronny James will be far less interested in how high he will be picked, but is the right team interested — the right developmental situation for him, perhaps later on in the first round. But here’s one thing that won’t be a consideration, I was told by Rich Paul: the idea that he needs to play with LeBron James, be on the same roster, play with him on the Lakers. As Rich Paul said to me, if it organically happened, LeBron would be head over heels excited to play with Bronny. But in Rich Paul’s words, LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man.”
If what Wojnarowski reported is indeed true, perhaps there’s a greater chance that the elder James will remain with the Lakers past this season, as it wouldn’t be contingent on them drafting his son or bringing him in as an undrafted free agent.
The younger James doesn’t exactly look like an NBA-ready prospect right now. But the bright lights and big money of pro basketball often cause college players to make the jump to the next level earlier than some think they should.
John Hollinger, a former NBA executive, recently said that his NBA upside seems limited and that he doesn’t seem like a one-and-done college player right now.
