VALENCIA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: LeBron James (R) attends the Space Jam: A New Legacy Party in The Park After Dark at Six Flags Magic Mountain on June 29, 2021 in Valencia, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
LeBron James’ retirement from the National Basketball League will be global news when the time comes. His contract with the Los Angeles Lakers is set to end after the 2022-2023 season, per CBS Sports. Both free agency and returning to his original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, could be on the table. And while LeBron told The Athletic he doesn’t “know what [his] future holds, he does have some sort of plan. He also told the publication the league won’t see his last year until he plays alongside his son LeBron James Jr., also known as Bronny.
“My last year will be played with my son,” LeBron told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
It’s unclear what direction the basketball protégé plans to take after his high school graduation. He currently attends Sierra Canyon School in California as a junior. Per NBA rules, players aren’t allowed to jump straight into the league after graduating high school. Instead, they must play at least one season of college or other form of professional ball.
However, in 2019, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said top high school players might be eligible to enter the 2022 draft. Apparently, they’ve been in “active discussions” about revising the one-and-done rule, which is the policy that prevents high school players from draft eligibility. For now, Bronny could be eligible to enter the NBA Draft in 2024. However, if the policy is revised in time, LeBron and Bronny could touch the NBA court together as soon as 2023.
In speaking to The Athletic, LeBron also revealed he isn’t closed off to returning to the Cavaliers. If he goes that route, it would be his third time playing with his hometown team.
“The door’s not closed on that,” LeBron said. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”
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