LeBron James‘ desire to play with his son Bronny James next season may be overstated, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said during an appearance on NBA Today on Tuesday (YouTube link). Citing his conversations with agent Rich Paul, Wojnarowski suggested that if Bronny decides to remain in the 2024 draft, the James family is more focused on getting him into the right developmental situation rather than steering him toward the Lakers.
“The idea of them playing together is not a priority. It’s not foremost – at least any longer – in LeBron James’ mind,” Wojnarowski said. “… If (Bronny) does go in the draft, he very likely would spend next year in the G League.
“… I think that’s the priority for them as a family, what’s best for Bronny James. And if it ends up them together, that would be great, but I don’t get a sense it’s playing much – if any – role in LeBron James’ decision on next season.”
Wojnarowski’s comments on NBA Today represented the latest in a series of reports about LeBron’s motivations and potential player option decision entering the offseason. James, who shut down that line of conversation following Monday’s Game 5 loss to Denver, took to Twitter on Tuesday in another attempt to quell the speculation about his contract situation.
“I’ve seen, heard a lot of reports about my future,” James wrote. “I said it last night and I’ll say it again. I do not know yet as I’m only thinking about spending time with my family and friends! When I know after speaking with the fam, my counsel, as well as my representation about it then you guys will know.”
Here’s more on the NBA’s two Los Angeles teams:
- The Lakers are spending the day on Wednesday conducting exit interviews with their players, sources tell Dave McMenamin of ESPN, who tweets that the team is still going through the process of evaluating its season — and evaluating head coach Darvin Ham. Reporting earlier this week indicated that Ham’s job is very much in jeopardy but that the team will take a few days to finalize a decision.
- Appearing on ESPN’s Hoop Collective podcast with Brian Windhorst (YouTube link), Ramona Shelburne identified the Magic as another team (along with the Sixers) that is “paying very close attention” to Paul George‘s contract situation entering the 2024 offseason. Teammate Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers agreed to an extension worth a little less than the max earlier this year, but George has yet to reach an agreement on a similar deal and could become a free agent in July. “It’s just a matter of whether the Clippers are gonna give him the max, which is something they don’t want to do because they didn’t give it to Kawhi,” Windhorst said (hat tip to NBC Sports).
- Weighing James Harden‘s underwhelming playoff history against his poised, disciplined performance during the Clippers‘ first four games against Dallas this spring, Jim Trotter of The Athletic considers whether or not it’s time to start believing in the postseason version of the veteran guard.
- With Tyronn Lue seemingly unfazed by the absence of Leonard for much of the first round so far, Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times explores how the rest of the Clippers have adopted the steady, even-keeled demeanor of their head coach.
Nepotism exists in sports, to an extent, but if you fail to perform it won’t be long until you wear out your welcome.
I bet Lakers take Bronnie round 2. Let him get some assists with dad in a blowout then goes to the G league for the rest of the year
Even that is just crazy. Lakers should just blow it all up and start over.
Lebron is done. Giving him his dream of playing with his overrated and should not be in the NBA son is pure, rich person, narcissism at its best and it will eventually cost the Lakers, not Lebron. They have to pay a guy who cannot start in Div 1, 2nd round money.
Most of the time I defend Lebron. But this…AND Bronny show some spine and tell your dad to stop so you can make the league by yourself.
U can transfer to another school. UConn needs a guard.
amk, that’s sort of how I see it. Call him up for a game or two get a couple solid runs in with Dad 5 minutes here and there and call it a day.
He’s not good enough but I’m sure it’s ratings-worthy moment for father and son out there at the same time. Good cinema. No problem.
Harden playing well in the first few games of a playoff series is nothing new. He did the same in Houston and even last year. Games 6 and 7 are when he is particularly prone to crumble.
Wonder if LeBron actually has any real friends. Even Windhorst wanted something from him. Kind of strange to think about. I guess he drinks wine w the other Lakers…but still a bizarre life.
You wondering if LeBron has friends is more bizarre than whether or not he does,
Who GAF?
Also, what do you think was in that locker?
If I were Orlando Magic Front Office I would go all in for Devin Booker instead Paul George or Klay, I know people think that is almost impossible but Orlando have the money and assets to lure Phoenix to at least to think about it. With a Player like Booker I think Orlando can be top 3 in the east next year only behind Boston and NY.
I can’t see Ishbia doing anything other than doubling down on the Big 3 experiment, lest he have to admit what an epic failure it was. Don’t think it’s going to matter what teams are willing to offer for Booker or anyone else sans Beal, who will be impossible to move.
If the Suns can bring in a decent head coach with a legitimate offensive system and somehow get themselves a capable PG, I can actually see them bouncing back somewhat next season (as in, winning a playoff series and then losing in R2). It would still be a misguided approach, but I just can’t see them bailing on things after one disastrous season.
The kid is not that good, come on.
Dr. Jerry Buss had some sons with the Lakers…