How long can LeBron James go on? At 40, he isn’t just the oldest player in the NBA; he’s still one of its most dominant forces. The league’s all-time leading scorer isn’t just hanging on—he’s thriving, putting up 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. Most players his age have retired, but LeBron refuses to slow down. Despite this, a time would come when the player will have to hang up his Nikes. From what the player recently said, however, a retirement announcement isn’t anywhere on the horizon for now. After all, LeBron still feels his role as a father and teammate on the court isn’t over.

One major thing that LeBron James wanted to do before retirement was to play alongside his eldest son, Bronny. Now, he wants to see the 20-year-old thrive in the competitive environment. After making a monstrous 40 points during the recent Lakers-Trail Blazers matchup, LeBron engaged in a Q&A session.  The 40-year-old was asked upfront about why he continues to play. The love for the game was one major reason for King James. He stated, “I’ve still got a lot to give to the game, give to my teammates, give to this league, for while I’m here.”

LeBron also added, “It’s the Love of the Game, and also have the opportunity now to be able to show my son the ranks of how to be a professional, what this league is all about, and be along him every single day. That’s a treat unless he’s with the South Bay.” While LeBron remains dominant, Bronny is still finding his footing in the NBA.

People doubted Bronny James when the NBA drafted him as the 55th overall pick. The young player averaged only 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists at USC after all. That skepticism proved true, as Bronny has faced trouble making his mark in the NBA till now. In 17 games, he has averaged just 4.2 minutes of playtime. He averaged only 1.4 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. Bronny isn’t on a two-way contract, yet his low scoring has limited his role in the NBA, forcing him to split time between the G-League and the Lakers. LeBron, knowing his son still has a long way to go, is extending his own career to support him. Both as a father and a teammate. While parental guidance can be motivating, leading by example on the court might be even more impactful for Bronny’s development

“You know, sometimes, if any of y’all got kids or whatever, sometimes, as parents, you say all these things and sometimes, it can become annoying to your kids,” LeBron continued while addressing the media. “You just hope that sometimes, that some of your, some of your examples will show better sometimes than the words, you know. So, I hope I’m in a position now that I’m doing both. To be able to give him words of advice, but also show him, by example, and then, you know, he could taking a run with it when I’m done for sure.”

Through his remarks, LeBron James has displayed only good intentions for extending his retirement announcement. Unfortunately, his intentions may not be enough to convince his agent. Reports suggest Rich Paul has a different vision for Bronny’s development.

LeBron James’s agent urges Lakers to keep Bronny in the G League: “Much better development structure”

Rich Paul recently appeared on Washington Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas’ long-running show, Gil’s Arena. A major part of the episode was devoted to discussing what the future holds for Bronny James. LeBron’s agent had a crystal-clear opinion: he wanted the young player to gain some more reps in the G-League. Bronny has already played 7 games with the South Bay Lakers, with his average points being in the double digits. His time in the lower league affiliate is already showing results. This was seen when the player dropped his career-high 9 points against the Utah Jazz last week. For Rich Paul, this growth signals that the G-League can do wonders for Bronny.

“The G League today has a much better development structure, and if you look at the draft, we’ve had nearly everyone from the third pick to the last pick in the draft spend some time in the G League,” said Paul. “I represent Dejounte Murray. [He] played a full season in the G League and was the starting point guard in the Western Conference Finals against the Warriors. That’s development. I embrace the G League.”

More time in the G-League means that Bronny would be spending less time with LeBron in the main series. LeBron is delaying retirement to guide Bronny firsthand, shaping his game and mindset both on and off the court. While Rich Paul believes the G-League is the best path for Bronny’s development, LeBron remains focused on setting an example. Then again, if the move to the G-league proves beneficial, it is an option Jams Jr. must consider.