Home Basketball LeBron James Pledges to Make Every Effort to Play Alongside Son Bronny in the NBA Before Retirement

LeBron James Pledges to Make Every Effort to Play Alongside Son Bronny in the NBA Before Retirement

Basketball — 12/01/2023

LeBron James Pledges to Make Every Effort to Play Alongside Son Bronny in the NBA Before RetirementLeBron James has expressed his unwavering intention to join forces with his 17-year-old son, Bronny James, before retiring from professional basketball. In a recent interview with The Athletic, the 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star emphasized his desire to play alongside his son for at least one season, prioritizing the opportunity to share the court over financial considerations.

Lebron James comes onto the court to congratulate his son Bronny James (0) point guard for Sierra Canyon after his team won against St. Vincent-St. Mary during The Chosen - 1's Invitational High School Basketball Showcase at the Staples Center on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.

“I will play my last year with my son,” LeBron stated. “Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be. I am willing to do whatever it takes to have the chance to team up with my son. It goes beyond monetary factors at that point.”

LeBron, currently in his 19th NBA season, boasts an impressive career with four championships to his nаme—two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one with the Lakers. He also hinted that a return to the Cavaliers, where he secured his third NBA title in 2016, is not entirely off the table.

Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers and father LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court following the Hoophall West tournament at Footprint Center on December 11, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.

“The door is not closed,” LeBron revealed regarding a potential reunion with the Cavaliers. “I’m not saying I will come back and play, as I don’t know. I am uncertain about what the future holds for me. I don’t even know when I will be available.”

After spending seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron made his highly publicized move to the Miami Heat in 2010, teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to secure consecutive NBA titles in 2012 and 2013. He then returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, helping the team clinch their first-ever NBA championship in 2016. In 2018, LeBron departed from Cleveland once again, joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won his fourth championship in 2019.

LeBron’s commitment to playing with his son stems from his early NBA years when his eldest child, Bronny, was born during his second season. Bronny currently attends Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles and has garnered attention as a promising point guard prоspect. Although he has expressed interest in playing for several top college basketball programs, including Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, and UCLA, only Kentucky has extended a scholarship offer thus far.

Under the NBA’s current rules, Bronny will be eligible for the draft in two years, which requires players to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school graduation. However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated a willingness to reconsider the league’s “one and done” policy, acknowledging its diminishing effectiveness in a rapidly evolving basketball landscape. Nonetheless, any changes to the policy would require careful consideration and implementation.