The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for what promises to be a compelling NBA season under the guidance of their new head coach, JJ Redick. As the Lakers prepare to take the court, one narrative that has captured the imagination of fans and analysts alike is the possibility of LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, playing together during the season. This unique father-son dynamic is set to add a new layer of intrigue to an already storied franchise.
Bronny James, who played one season at USC, has been selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft. While he is expected to spend significant time in the G League, the potential for him to share the court with his legendary father remains an exciting prospect. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized the importance of collaboration in making this vision a reality. "We obviously have talked about it as a staff and we've gotten into some specifics of what that might look like," Redick said. "But we haven't committed to anything. And obviously, there's a discussion to be had once we're all together with Bronny and LeBron, too. They should be a part of that discussion as well."
The Lakers' roster for the upcoming season remains largely unchanged from last year, with key players such as Gabe Vincent and Jalen-Hood Schifino in good health. However, concerns linger over Jarred Vanderbilt, who underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason. According to Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka, the hope is that Vanderbilt will be ready for the start of the regular season. "We have a lot of optimism that when the real games start, he'll be available," Pelinka stated. "Between now and then, there is still about a month, and there are a lot of ramp-up steps that need to go well, so hopefully there won't be setbacks."
As the Lakers look to build on last season's performance, the development of Bronny James under JJ Redick's guidance will be closely watched. Redick expressed his enthusiasm for coaching the young talent. "I don't look at it as a challenge. It's unique from any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship," he said. "Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him because he's young and he's hungry, and he's got a lot of inherent skillsets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player."
The potential for LeBron and Bronny to face off in practice has already provided some memorable moments. Pelinka recounted a particularly compelling exchange between the two. "[Bronny] got switched onto LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under off the glass. The words exchanged afterward were probably more challenging than anything else." LeBron himself later commented, "Great defense. Better O."
LeBron James is entering his 22nd NBA season at the age of 39, a testament to his extraordinary longevity and dedication to the game. As he continues to defy Father Time, the Lakers aim to leverage his experience and leadership. Pelinka highlighted the shared vision he has with Redick in fostering sustained success for the franchise. "I think the philosophy that JJ and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence. And I think, when we talk about moves, you can make a move that backfires. I think every GM has made a trade where he says, 'Maybe that one wasn't ideal.' But every lens that we look through has to lead to sustainable Lakers excellence," Pelinka explained.
The Lakers' regular season is set to begin on October 22 with a highly anticipated opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As the team embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on how the integration of fresh talent and the enduring prowess of LeBron James will shape the Lakers' quest for success. With the added storyline of a potential father-son duo on the horizon, this season promises to be one for the ages.