LeBron James’ agents may have made a big mistake.
The future of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is unclear. The Los Angeles Lakers just fired head coach Darvin Ham, but he has a player option.
Coincidentally, that option deadline comes two days after the NBA Draft, in which his son, Bronny, could be drafted.
Incidentally, James has never shied away from the topic of retirement.
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Lakers forward LeBron James dunks during a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
As it stands, James is signed with the Lakers, but Rich Paul may have made a mistake.
Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, was appearing on TNT’s alternate broadcast of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks to discuss James’ future, but he may have made a premature statement.
“LeBron is a free agent.” He said.
TNT’s Chris Haynes pressed him, and Paul backed off a bit.
“We will assess the situation and make the best decision,” he added.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and won a championship with the team in 2020. He has said he wants to play alongside his son, but his NBA future is bleak.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives past Rockets forward Cam Whitmore on Jan. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
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The Lakers are reportedly interested in drafting the younger James to help in their efforts to retain LeBron, but scouts don’t seem to be too warm toward Bronny.
He entered the NBA draft last month despite averaging fewer than five points per game with the Trojans. He can still decide to return to college and has also entered the transfer portal.
Perhaps the cardiac arrest he suffered last summer was a factor, as he was named a McDonald’s All-American his senior year of high school.
But one scout told ESPN that if the Lakers don’t draft him, “I don’t think anyone will draft him,” while another said he’s simply “not an NBA prospect.”
Bronny James shoots a free throw during the 2024 NBA Combine at Wintrust Arena on May 14, 2024 in Chicago. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Subsequent reports suggested LeBron was now more focused on Bronny’s development than playing with him.
If James opts out of his contract (he’s due to make more than $51 million), he could be eligible to sign a three-year, $161.9 million deal with Los Angeles.
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