LeBron James teases future plans that may lead to 4 more Lakers years

It has been well-documented that LeBron James wants to play in the NBA with his oldest son, Bronny James. Bronny is eligible to be drafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, which may prompt LeBron to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2023-24 season to go play with whatever team drafts Bronny.

Many Lakers fans have accepted this reality and have come to terms with it. The one key to keeping LeBron past this season is to draft Bronny. But with the New Orleans Pelicans having the ability to pick between the Lakers’ pick in 2024 or in 2025, the team might not even have the chance to do so.

If the Lakers do keep their 2024 first-round pick and draft Bronny then it might just be the first of two moves the team makes to keep LeBron in LA for the rest of his career. LeBron might not be satisfied with only playing with Bronny, as he may also be eyeballing the possibility of playing with his younger son, Bryce James. At least, that is what it seems to be LeBron’s intent after the latest Beats by Dre ad.

https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1716469304231633109

LeBron James teases playing with both of his sons, Bronny James and Bryce James.

LeBron James is one of the most calculated players in all of sports with what he says and what he puts out into the media. There is no way that the marketing teams over at Beats by Dre would write something like this into a commercial without his approval and knowing.

But LeBron also wouldn’t just float that out there for no reason. It doesn’t guarantee that LeBron is going to make it until Bryce is in the league, but this line from his wife, Savannah, guarantees that it is at least on LeBron’s mind.

LeBron playing with Bronny would already be unprecedented. LeBron playing with both Bronny and Bryce would be the coolest sports story to happen this century. And if there is anyone in sports who could do it, it is LeBron.

What year can Bryce James be drafted into the NBA?

Bryce James is currently a junior in high school. He is graduating in 2025 and will be eligible to enter the NBA after one year of college, making him eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. As of right now, Bryce does not project to be a first-round talent (he is only a three-star recruit in high school) but anything can happen in three years.

It lines up perfectly for the Lakers as well. If the Pelicans decide to roll over their Lakers pick to 2025 then the Lakers will have both their 2024 and 2026 first-round pick. Bronny projects to be a late first-rounder (which is where the Lakers will pick). If Bryce follows his brother then the Lakers should have the ability to bring him to LA as well.

LeBron James will be 41 years old when the 2026 NBA Draft takes place. He will turn 42 years old during the 2026-27 season. LeBron is already defying age expectations in the NBA and if anyone can play at 42, it is him.

LeBron doesn’t even have to be an all-star at that point to justify keeping him around. There is nothing wrong with him getting 20 minutes a game off the bench and picking his spots. A 42-year-old LeBron James would probably be a lot better than most rotation players in the league, if used properly.

It definitely is possible. Robert Parrish and Vince Carter were in the league until they were 43 years old. If they could do it, LeBron can too.