Basketball legend LeBron James has said he would not only like to play alongside his son Bronny but would be willing to move to whichever team drafts his 19-year-old offspring.
LeBron James has the option to enter free-agency this summer, with his player option to extend his contract with the Lakers by 1 year expiring 3 days after the NBA draft.
There isn’t a more talked about man in the NBA than LeBron James, and that will be no different this summer, proven by his attendance at the Cavaliers playoff game sparking free-agency rumours.
James is now technically a free agent, although he does have the option to remain a Laker, with a contract extension worth $51.4 million, but he can also decline this, choosing to sign with any other team.
It is worth noting that money will probably not be a factor in his decision making, as the athlete is worth an estimated $1.2 billion, has a lifetime shoe deal with nike and has set up his own production company, so won’t be looking for one last big payout from the NBA before he retires.
This being said, it is no secret that LeBron is close to retirement, as he himself has alluded to. This next contract he signs will tell us what he is truly chasing in his twilight years in the NBA.
LeBron can not, any maybe will never, escape the comparisons to his idol Michael Jordan. LeBron has surprised Jordan in almost every single category now, but Michaels six championships is still a stick used to beat LeBron with, who only has four.
The Lakers are in no position to challenge for a championship, having had two disastrous regular seasons under coach Darvin Ham, who has now been fired, and have very little to offer in the trade market to turn this franchise into a championship contender.
Although making it to the Conference Finals in 2023, this Lakers team looks in no mans land, with its only trade options of any substance being Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, both being players LeBron would refuse to loose.
On top of this, the Lakers are without any first round draft picks to trade away, most of which they traded for Anthony Davis. Although this roster does have obvious quality, it does not have the assets to turn this mediocre team into a championship one.
Coaching can play a large role in this, the Darvin Ham experiment has failed, and a new coach could inject the life into this team to make them championship contenders. However, it appears JJ Reddick has been handed the hot seat in LA.
JJ Reddick’s appointment to Lakers head coach seems confusing. JJ has never coached in any capacity in the NBA. NCAA or even abroad. His highest level of coaching appears to be his daughters AAU team. His only qualification for the job seems to be he co-hosts a podcast with LeBron James.
LeBron, in pursuit of closing the gap between himself and Jordan, may decide to move to a team that has championship aspirations. Rumours have emerged of LeBron rejoining Kyrie Irving in Dallas.
If this is LeBron’s motivation for still playing so long in the NBA, then we can expect him to pick his team based on who he believes will win a championship.
It is extremely notable that LeBron’s renewal is three days after the NBA draft. The 39-year-old has spoken regularly about his desire to play with his son, Bronny James, who has declared for this years draft.
LeBron has not just said he would like to play with Bronny, but has said publicly that he will move to which ever team drafts his son.
We may see the Lakers take Bronny James in the draft to keep LeBron at the ball club, however Bronny is not good enough to be taken with a first round pick, and is too good for the Lakers second pick, which is number 55.
Other teams however will know that taking Bronny James may also land them ‘The King’ and take Bronny with their first round pick, to entice LeBron to join their franchise.
Regardless of where LeBron, 39, ends up, we know for a fact that next season will be a historic season for him.
LeBron James, who was drafted before the announcement of the first iPhone, was taken first overall pick in his draft class of 2003, and remains the only active player from this class.
Only one other player has ever made it to year 22 in the NBA, that being Vince Carter who averaged 5 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game and 0.8 assists.
LeBron has just finished his 21st season in the NBA, only five other players have managed this feat, those being Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnet, Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki.
Combined, these five averaged 24 points per game, 13.3 rebound per game and 4.1 assists per game. LeBron on his own averaged 25.7 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game and 8.3 assists per game.
If LeBron remains a Laker, he will have played against four of his last five head coaches. He has already played against 35% of players ever in the NBA and eight current head coaches.
We may not know what team LeBron will be on next season, but we do know that he will redefine what longevity looks like in professional sports.
With every game that passes, LeBron grows closer to retirement. We can only hope that the new generation is ready to pick up his mantel.
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