People across the basketball world are starting to wonder what the immediate future will hold for LeBron James. Will he stay with the Los Angeles Lakers past this season, or will he go to what he feels would be greener pastures?
He has said he wants to play alongside his son Bronny James. However, the younger James, who is currently a freshman at the University of Southern California, doesn’t appear ready to take on the NBA, even though many said months ago that he has lottery pick potential.
It is unknown when the younger James will declare for the NBA draft. But his father said prior to Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game that he will let the younger James decide for himself.
LeBron James on Bronny James entering the 2024 NBA Draft 🏀
(🎥: @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/mIg6N6RM0o
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 20, 2024
“It’s up to him, it’s up to the kid. We’re going to go through the whole process. He’s still in season now. He has the Pac-12 tournament coming up. … We’re going to weigh all options and we’re going to let the kid make the decision.”
One former NBA executive, John Hollinger, recently told The Athletic that the younger James is “not a guy who would normally be a one-and-done” and suggested his ceiling could be “akin to that of Gary Harris.” Harris has been a decent NBA player for the last several seasons, but a star he is not.
Perhaps staying in college for a while could result in the younger James developing the ability to become more than simply a decent complementary player in the pros.