Looks like LeBron James’ wish to share the court with his son in the NBA might not be just a pipe dream after all, with the 2024-25 season looming large.

The Los Angeles Lakers seem open to the idea of bringing Bronny James onboard next season, as per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Anthony Slater, and Jovan Buha.

According to The Athletic:
“This stance, the source said, is rooted in the reality that James’ happiness truly matters to the organization. They will potentially have their 2024 first-round pick (depending on if the New Orleans Pelicans, as part of the blockbuster Davis trade, choose to receive that pick or defer to 2025) and have two second-round picks that could help to that end (the Clippers’ and the less favorable of the Grizzlies’ and Wizards’ selections).” LeBron has been vocal about his desire to play alongside his son in the NBA before hanging up his sneakers.

Bronny, a freshman at USC, is set to be eligible for the 2024 draft and is already being touted as a first-round prospect, despite modest stats—averaging 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 35.6% from the field and 27.1% from beyond the arc in 16 games with the Trojans.

Senior writer at The Athletic, Sam Vecenie, chimed in:

“Guys…I get that it seems important to LeBron to have Bronny on his team but…

Bronny is averaging 6 points and 3 rebounds on a 9-15 USC team. He’s shooting 35% from the field and 27% from 3.

It doesn’t feel like a great development strategy to just put him through to the NBA”
On The Hoop Collective, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned last month,
“I’ve got people telling me, this guy’s going in the first round, no doubt and not necessarily because of what he’s showing at USC, but just because of the dynamics around the pick.”

Should the Lakers pull the trigger on Bronny, it could significantly enhance their chances of keeping LeBron in town beyond this season. The four-time NBA champ holds a player option for 2024-25, which he could turn down to test free agency waters.

Any team landing Bronny could find themselves in the running to snag LeBron in free agency.

While the prospect of adding Bronny is intriguing, the Lakers have a golden opportunity to swing a trade for an All-Star caliber player this offseason, a move that could bolster their title aspirations.

Names like Dejounte Murray, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, and Kyrie Irving have been swirling in Lakers trade rumors, and snagging any of these stars shouldn’t be overlooked.