Report: LeBron James Expected To Return To Lakers, Who Have Interest In Drafting Bronny

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, LeBron James is expected to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Charania also reports that the Lakers have interest in drafting Bronny James. 

"LeBron James want to play up to two more seasons & obviously the Lakers want to bring him back..

They do have interest in bringing Bronny in as a draft pick" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/SKVbqKvMBN

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 10, 2024

Bronny has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while retaining his college eligibility. He has also entered the transfer portal.

Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks for USC this season while shooting 36.6% from the field, 26.7% from beyond the arc and 67.6% from the free-throw line. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. 

LeBron, who turns 40 in December, is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons. He has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

Two more seasons would take LeBron through the 2026 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

LeBron appeared in 71 games for the Lakers this season. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. 

LeBron joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2019, won the championship in 2020, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, missed the playoffs in 2022, lost in the conference finals in 2023 and lost in the first round this year. 

LeBron is the leading scorer in NBA history. He has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. 

The Lakers need a new head coach after firing Darvin Ham. They have been linked to JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue, Kenny Atkinson, David Adelman and Micah Nori.

According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, LeBron and Anthony Davis‘ opinions will be taken “into consideration” in the Lakers head coach search.