The Los Angeles Lakers gave LeBron James a two-year extension that will give him the opportunity to team up with his son, Bronny, in a couple of years.
If LeBron James really wants to play with Bronny James, he’s now set up to do so.
On Wednesday, the Lakers and James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal includes a player option for 2024-25. That addition probably has a lot to do with Bronny.
The LeBron James extension makes team up with Bronny more likely
James has talked openly about wanting to play with his son in the NBA but time was always going to be the biggest obstacle with the father set to turn 38 by the end of this year and the son ineligible to enter the league until 2024.
The player option for 2024 means James can play the next two seasons with the Lakers and then base his next step around where Bronny lands.
Bronny, who plays for Sierra Canyon HS in Los Angeles, is a four-star shooting guard in the class of 2023. He ranks No. 29 nationally in the 247Sports composite. He is reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA and USC.
He will have to spend a year in college, making him eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft. That’s exactly when James’ player option will kick in.
This all depends on James continuing to play and Bronny making a one-and-done jump to the pros.
Other NBA players have kept their careers going into their 40s, so that’s not out of the question.
However, Bronny isn’t necessarily an NBA prospect of the caliber that would ensure he leaves college after one season. There are still a lot of pieces to put together if James really wants to make this happen.