NBA
The potential date when Bronny and Lebron James could play together for the LA Lakers
Bronny James already made his debut with the Lakers, but yet to share the court with LeBron due to his Team USA commitments ahead of the Paris Olympics.
LeBron James and his son Bronny James will be together with the Los Angeles Lakers next season in what will be the first father-son duo ever in the NBA after the 19-year-old was drafted by the Lakers as the 55th pick in the second round of the draft.
There were some doubts about whether LeBron would stay in LA after spending five years with the Lakers but in the end, ‘King’ James agreed to a new two-year contract, which includes a player option for next summer and a no-trade clause. Reports have claimed that he has signed a contract below the maximum of 101.35 million dollars, accepting a salary cut of 2.65 million to help his franchise sign new players.
Now that both James’ are in the squad for the 2024/25 season, attention turns to potential historic moment when both father and son share the court together for the first time.
Will Bronny James play in the NBA or G League?
Bronny already made his debut with the Lakers. On Saturday, he was part of the team that lost to the Sacramento Kings in the California Classic Summer League. The 19-year-old played for 21 minutes, bagging just four points, delivering four assists, two rebounds and one steal but the teenager struggled with three-pointers, missing all three he attempted.
New coach JJ Redick has already hinted that Bronny is being considered as a long-term prospect, meaning he will likely spend much of his rookie year playing for the South Bay Lakers in the G League which would considerably limit opportunities for him to play with his father once the 2024-25 NBA season starts in October.
When do the Lakers play again? Preseason schedule
The Lakers’ participation in the California Classic ended last Wednesday (10 July) and they will now play in the Summer League in Las Vegas but LeBron will not be participating in any of theses Summer games as the veteran forward is preparing to play for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics after missing the 2016 and 2020 editions. He previously won gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and a bronze in 2004.
The basketball tournament in Paris will run from Saturday, 27 July through to August 10th, and the Lakers will have no games scheduled immediately afterward.
However, they have already revealed some details of their preseason games, which could be the first time we see LeBron and Bronny together. As things stand, the California franchise will begin the preseason by facing the Minnesota Timberwolves at Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs on 4 October, which could very well be the time when both players take to the court together.
The Lakers will then face the Phoenix Suns at the same venue on 6 October, followed by the Golden State Warriors at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 15 October. A date has not yet been set for the start of the 2024/25 NBA season, although it is expected to be sometime in the second half of October.