Arguably the greatest of all time, LeBron James continues to age like fine wine. At the age of 37, he seeks his fifth title as he wills his Lakers towards a spot in the playoffs. However, rumors have begun circulating that he would leave Los Angeles to play with his son.
LeBron James Jr. (also known as Bronny) is currently a junior at Sierra Canyon High School and is set to graduate in 2023. So, how exactly could LeBron play with his son? Will he still have the willpower to play the game he loves? Let’s take a dive into this.
Lebron James’ Contract Length
LeBron’s contract with the Lakers is set to expire in 2023 after he signed a contract extension in 2020. With that said, he will have to wait a year to see what team drafts his son.
We shouldn’t expect LeBron to sit out a season and wait for his son to be eligible for the draft. So, what can he do?
For one, he could sign with the Lakers for another year and then leave. After all, LeBron deserves to get what he wants after what he’s done for the franchise since his arrival in 2018.
Regardless of the team’s current struggles, it’s known that LeBron and his family love Los Angeles. In fact, it’s been noted he wants to finish his career with the Lakers. This is not a surprise, as he plays for a franchise with well-known players such as Magic, Kareem, and Kobe Bryant.
Of course, James could always have a change of heart and leave as a free agent once his contract is up. It’s too early to say what team will “tank” for Bronny James. Also, he may not be the best prospect in his class.
A Team In the Hunt for Bronny
A team with multiple first-round picks in 2024 is the Oklahoma City Thunder. With their current roster, it’s not built to make it to the playoffs in the talented Western Conference.
So, let’s introduce a “what-if” scenario. What if the Thunder continue to struggle for two more seasons and end up having a top 10 pick in the 2024 draft? They would have a great chance to draft Bronny and build around him.
Seeing LeBron in a Thunder uniform would be weird. However, if he gets to play with his son, then his wish would finally be granted. It would also bring national attention to a team that only has four “national” games on NBA TV.
In the end, Lakers fans hope that LeBron stays in Los Angeles until he retires. Who knows? Maybe the Lakers pull off a trade that brings his son to the Purple & Gold and make it a win-win scenario.
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