LeBron James already has switched teams in pursuit of championships multiple times in his career, but his next big move could be for far more personal reasons.
While preparing to play in his 18th consecutive All-Star Game on Sunday night in Cleveland, James stated definitively that he plans to sign with whichever NBA team drafts his son, Bronny — who presently is a junior in high school — when the younger James becomes eligible in 2024.
“My last year will be with my son. Wherever Bronny’s at, that’s where I’ll be,” LeBron told The Athletic on Saturday. “I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
The 37-year-old James is under contract with the Lakers next season at $44.5 million. He would have to sign a one-year deal for 2023-24 before being able to enact his plan to play with his son. The 6-foot-3 guard for Sierra Canyon High School (Calif.) is ranked 43rd in the country in the 2023 class by ESPN.
Of course, the four-time NBA MVP has much more immediate concerns with the middling Lakers than with a future family reunion or anything that was happening this weekend in Cleveland.
James is posting 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists while playing nearly 37 minutes per game. His scoring average is its highest figure since 2009-10, but multiple injuries to him and Anthony Davis and a subpar season by imported former league MVP Russell Westbrook have left the Lakers in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 27-31 record.
“Every season has its own mental and physical challenges,” James said. “This is no different. This is the strangest season I’ve been a part of so far. I don’t want to just talk about the injuries but COVID protocols. You have guys go out for false positives. You have had guys go out for real reasons. We’ve had our head coach be out for several games.
“We’ve had injuries. We’ve had a little bit of everything. I mean, I’ve been out at points in time in the season. It’s just been very challenging, very physically and emotionally draining at times, but that’s the NBA season for you. If you are not having your mindset on that happening, then you’re setting yourself up for failure. I’ve always kind of known that’s going to happen at some point throughout the season.”
The Ohio native was embracing playing in the city in which he already had spent two significant tenures during his 19-year career, notably helping the Cavaliers to the lone championship in their history in 2016.
James, who also was slated to be honored at halftime as a member of the league’s 75th anniversary team, recalled the previous time the All-Star Game was held in Cleveland in 1997, when the NBA similarly honored its Top 50 players of all time during that weekend.
“I think I was 12 years old at that point in time. Me and my friends wished we could come up here to Cleveland and to see the likes of [Michael Jordan] and all those guys that were in that All-Star Weekend,” James said. “I remember seeing Kobe, his rookie year, win the Dunk Contest, and just wishing that we could come up here and see any one of those guys as a youngster. So to be here 25 years later is a remarkable thing. It’s pretty cool.”
James also said “the door’s not closed” on another return to the rising Cavaliers, adding, “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds.”
James’ fellow captain, Kevin Durant already was out with a knee injury, but the Nets superstar did not attend the game due to the death of his grandmother. Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell also was a late scratch for Team LeBron with a non-COVID illness.