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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk into the air before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ future in the NBA is again the subject of speculation as he enters this season on an expiring contract. With his legacy secure, one question looms: will the four-time champion play long enough to share the court with his younger son, Bryce James?
NBA Executive: LeBron Eyeing Bryce’s Draft Class
An NBA executive who spoke with Lakers Daily’s Ashish Matur suggested that James, now 40 and turning 41 in December, may be setting the stage for one final dream.
“I think LeBron plays one or two more seasons unless the Lakers win it all next year,” the executive said. “Bryce [James] will be eligible for the 2026 draft. There are some whispers that LeBron wants to play with him, too.
“We’ll see what happens, but I just can’t see LeBron retiring after next season. He’s still too good of a player to just walk away. Unless there’s a huge drop-off in his production or the Lakers win the championship, I think LeBron is playing in 2026-27.”
Bryce’s Path to the NBA
Getty Bryce James of Sierra Canyon after making a three-point shot against Notre Dame.
Bryce James, a 3-star recruit according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, will begin his freshman season at Arizona this fall. If he excels, the 6-foot-6 guard could be a one-and-done prospect and declare for the 2026 NBA Draft.
His draft trajectory may ultimately shape the twilight of LeBron’s career. Bryce’s name has not appeared in early mock drafts from ESPN or Bleacher Report, but his older brother, Bronny James, was in a similar position before impressing scouts at the NBA Draft Combine. Bronny’s performance helped earn him a second-round selection by the Lakers, after Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul reportedly steered teams away to secure a path to Los Angeles.
It remains to be seen whether a similar maneuver could determine both Bryce’s landing spot and where LeBron plays next.
Bronny and LeBron Make History
GettyLeBron James and Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers makes history against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024.
LeBron and Bronny already etched their names in NBA history as the first father-son duo to share a roster. Their achievement brought a rare and emotional moment to the Lakers’ season.
During an appearance on the Grant Horvat Golf podcast, Bronny described the nerves of debuting alongside his father.
“It was nuts, it was crazy. A crazy experience to be a part of, but like the nervousness — it was out of the roof,” Bronny said. “I wasn’t shaking, but you know, I was ready to go out and play. But it’s different when your dad’s on the team. You got expectations. The Lakers franchise has expectations. Yeah, for sure, I’m a basketball head, so it was fun to just be out there and step on an NBA floor for the first time. It was crazy.”
LeBron’s Legacy Already Secured
Over two decades, James has checked every box a player could hope for. He is a four-time champion, four-time league MVP, 21-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and one of the league’s all-time leading scorers.
But suiting up with Bronny was a milestone he had to wait for — and perhaps only a stepping stone to one final goal: sharing the court with Bryce.
Decision Still Year-to-Year
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Bronny James and Bryce James after scoring to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2023.
Despite the speculation, James has kept his cards close. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that LeBron’s retirement decision is being made on a year-to-year basis.
“Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don’t know,” Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective podcast recently. “As far as I know, he’s honestly going year to year.”
For now, the future of one of the greatest players in NBA history remains tied to two questions: Can the Lakers contend for another championship — and will Bryce James become the next chapter in the family’s NBA story?
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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