There is not much left for LeBron James to prove in the NBA. The superstar has been one of the league’s standout players year after year since being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
James is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time NBA MVP and has been selected to the All-Star Game on 20 occasions. Last year, he overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time NBA scoring leader.
One factor keeping the 39-year-old in the game is likely his desire to play alongside his son Bronny James. The Lakers star has talked about his goal of partnering with his son in the NBA.
Bronny is currently a freshman at the University of Souther California playing under Andy Enfield. He is averaging 5.8 points, 3 rebounds, 2.6 assist and 0.8 steals over 16 games. Those numbers may be lower than many of his peers but Bronny could be in line for the pros in the near future.
We look at five possible destinations for LeBron and Bronny James could end up playing together:
5. Los Angeles Lakers
This seems like the obvious choice. LeBron James is the face of the franchise and seems well settled in Southern California. The family owns a house in the area and Bronny’s university is only a few blocks from the Lakers’ arena.
Over six seasons with the Lakers, the versatile NBA star has averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7.9 assists and firmly established himself as the leader of this organization on and off the court. He has led them to the NBA championship in 2020 and has guided the team to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.
The team has several big-name stars that could be used as trade pieces for draft picks. If general manager Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are keen to hold on to James, a push for Bronny may be the way to go.
4.) New York Knicks
James has flirted with the Knicks for years now with the Big Apple potentially a great fit for the NBA superstar. New York offers the commercial and marketing possibilities that Los Angeles has as well as a rich basketball tradition. Madison Square Garden is referred to by many as the “Mecca” of basketball. The franchise also has a ton on first round picks in next seasons NBA draft.
The Knicks are looking for their first NBA championship since 1973 and James could be the man to help them achieve that.
3.) Philadelphia 76ers
76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is a big fan of the four-time NBA MVP. According to a recent post by ESPN, the executive reached out to Lakers GM Pelinka about a trade for James. The idea of pairing “King James” with reigning MVP Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is an exciting idea. Philadelphia has three picks in the upcoming draft and if one of those is used on Bronny, Morey could be back on the phone to work out a deal with Los Angeles.
2.) Cleveland Cavaliers
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, James has deep ties to the region. The high school sensation was drafted as the first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers and has played 849 games for the franchise. The Cavs 2016 NBA championship remains the highlight for the franchise that has failed to return to the finals since James’ departure. A return to his hometown team could be the perfect place to developed a relationship with Bronny.
1.) Golden State Warriors
If the ultimate goal is a fifth championship, James has to consider the Warriors. Sources have reported to that Warriors owner Joe Lacob approached the Lakers about a trade for LeBron prior to the NBA trade deadline. The Warriors have struggled this season but still have star power in Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Draymond Green has a close relationship with James as is apparently keen for James to join Golden State.
