The uncertainty around LeBron James‘ future with the Los Angeles Lakers is unnerving, to say the least. He has a $51.4 million player option with the team for the 2024-25 season, which means he can either stay put or walk out in the summer. It is clear at this point that his oldest son Bronny’s NBA future would play a huge role in determining the steps he will take. Bron has been vocal about his desire to play in the big league with his son before he retires.

So, using his player option, King James will most likely opt for a team that drafts Bronny. To keep LeBron, the Lakers would have to resort to drafting Bronny. However, it is still unclear whether Bronny will make the cut for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania gives us an idea of what LeBron’s future looks like, and yes, it has everything to do with Bronny. In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Charania reveals that “Bronny might have an impact on what he [LeBron] does.” As for Bronny’s situation with the draft, Charania adds that scouts tout him as a defensive force rather than an offensive one.

He says, “Bronny is finding his footing still, collegiately. But when you talk to scouts, they view him a lot further along defensively than offensively. Defensively, he’s already got the makings of an NBA-caliber defender. It’s about the rest of the game getting there.”

Bronny is currently playing for USC’s Trojans basketball team as a freshman, where he is averaging 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He has the highest NIL valuation among collegiate athletes with a value of $5.8 million.

The Lakers are considering drafting Bronny

Amidst the speculations of whether King James will stay in LA, the NBA teams will likely try and draft Bronny to entice Papa James. Well aware of the situation, the Lakers are also “willing to explore the notion” of recruiting Bronny if it means retaining LeBron in the team, as per The Athletic. However, Bronny isn’t making it any easier for anyone.

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He has been putting up poor numbers in his collegiate games, so making it to the NBA as a first-round pick seems like a distant dream. To cut him some slack, he did suffer a cardiac arrest last year in July and could make his USC debut only in December. This could’ve slowed him down considerably, but it’s about time he picked up his pace and made a strong contention for himself.