After months of anticipation, the 2024-25 NBA season will officially begin on Friday, October 4. The Los Angeles Lakers will play their first preseason game of the year against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with all eyes inevitably turning to the biggest names on the roster.
Most will be checking in on All-NBA mainstays Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but the historic preseason debut of Bronny James will be an equally as hot topic.
The preseason could provide fans with an early look at the first father-son duo in NBA history. It'll be a crowd-stopping moment that precedes a potential regular-season repeat that will live on as one of the definitive memories of the 2024-25 campaign.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Davis and LeBron James will play at some point this weekend.
"Still talking through it," Redick said Thursday after L.A. wrapped up its third day of training camp. "They're going to play this weekend. But we're still talking through what minutes and rotations look like for everybody."
Unfortunately, Davis and James will not play in the preseason opener. Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
LeBron James will be held out of the Lakers’ first preseason game Friday vs MIN, sources told ESPN. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Thursday that LeBron and Anthony Davis would both play at some point this weekend. LAL plays again in Palm Springs on Sunday vs PHX
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 4, 2024
Jovan Buha of The Athletic later provided the update about Davis missing the game.
Lakers’ starters vs. Minnesota (with no LeBron or AD), per JJ Redick:
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 5, 2024
D’Angelo Russell
Austin Reaves
Max Christie
Rui Hachimura
Jaxson Hayes
Up to this point, however, it's remained unclear whether or not Bronny James will see the court during the preseason opener against the Timberwolves.
Anthony Davis in; LeBron James out; Bronny James status uncertain
Davis and LeBron James make up 40 percent of the planned starting lineup for the 2024-25 season. Playing alongside them will be fellow starters Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell, who has overcome yet another round of trade rumors to remain in Los Angeles.
Redick's affinity for that five-man lineup likely stems from their success in 2023-24, as they outscored opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions.
Minutes will likely be limited all around for the starters, due in no small part to the fact that the members of the group have already been decided on. The second unit, meanwhile, is in a state of flux as the regular season nears.
Gabe Vincent is locked in as a key reserve, but an argument could be made that four positions remain wide open in Los Angeles.
Jarred Vanderbilt is likely to play big minutes as the team's best on-ball defender, but he's still recovering from a foot injury. Max Christie signed a four-year, $32 million contract to step into a 3-and-D role at shooting guard, but there's limited film to determine how well he'll play in 2024-25.
2023 first-round draft pick Jalen Hood-Schifino and 2024 first-round selection Dalton Knecht could also emerge as key figures who upend expectations that are based on annual salaries.
Furthermore, Christian Wood recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, thus leaving a massive void along the interior. With all of this established, it stands to reason that Redick will feature his reserves as much as possible during the preseason to create a sense of clarity about who should be playing come the regular season.
Bronny James should benefit from that opportunity to establish himself as a quality reserve, but up to this point, the date of the debut of the Lakers' father-son duo remains unclear.