LeBron James and Bronny James are already scrimmaging with the Los Angeles Lakers as part of their voluntary offseason workouts. JJ Redick and his coaching staff are eagerly discussing the moment when this father-son duo will step onto an NBA court together for the first time, a historic event in the league’s history.
The specifics of that momentous day remain uncertain, but Redick shares the excitement felt across the basketball community. The prospect of witnessing the NBA’s all-time leading scorer play alongside his son, a second-round draft pick, is a unique narrative that has never unfolded in the league before.
“We don’t have anything planned, per se, in terms of a commitment to do it this way,” Redick explained. “We’ve talked about it as a staff and explored some ideas, but we haven’t made any commitments. It’s important to involve Bronny and LeBron in these discussions, too.”
During a preseason news conference, Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka expressed their enthusiasm for the potential pairing. Redick envisions only positive outcomes from having the two on the court together and does not foresee any issues arising from their family relationship.
“I don’t see this as a unique challenge compared to coaching any other player or relationship,” he stated.
The Lakers have yet to announce how long Bronny, who will be 20 during training camp, will remain on the roster alongside his father, who is set to turn 40 in December.
While the front office has not confirmed details, it appears likely that Bronny James will spend a significant portion of the upcoming season in the G League to hone his skills. He played just 25 games during his freshman year at USC after recovering from a cardiac arrest incident that occurred during an offseason workout.
Both Pelinka and Redick remain optimistic about the 6-foot-2 guard’s potential to contribute to the NBA.
“I feel fortunate to coach him. He’s young, hungry, and possesses a lot of skills we can develop into a strong NBA player,” Redick remarked. “Moreover, he’s a fantastic individual—extremely coachable and brings the right energy every day.”
After leading Team USA to a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, LeBron James took a brief vacation but has been back in training for the last two weeks, according to Redick.
The Lakers’ roster will largely consist of the same players who reached the Western Conference finals in 2023, although they finished eighth in the West last spring and were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round. This team has shown vulnerability, especially considering the injury history of veterans LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Pelinka mentioned that he is open to trading his two available first-round picks if it could lead to “sustainable Lakers excellence.” He would also consider trading one pick for a “marginal upgrade” if it aligns with the team’s goals.
Players like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jalen Hood-Schifino are healthy and ready for training camp, but not all members of the team will be available for workouts next week.
Christian Wood will undergo re-evaluation in six weeks following left knee surgery earlier this month.
Pelinka also revealed that Jarred Vanderbilt, known for his defensive prowess, underwent successful procedures on both feet during the offseason. While he is still in recovery, Pelinka expressed optimism that Vanderbilt will be ready for the season opener on October 22.
