LeBron: My son faces ‘tough decisions’
USC’s Bronny rumored to be headed to transfer protocol
The next move is unclear for LeBron James’ eldest son.
James acknowledged as much Tuesday night, addressing the swirling speculation that 19-year-old Bronny James may soon transfer from USC after one season.
“At the end of the day, Bronny’s his own man,” James said. “He has some tough decisions to make, and when he’s ready to make those decisions, he’ll let us all know, but as his family, we’ll support whatever he does.”
Bronny, a 6-4 guard, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game over 25 appearances, including six starts, as a freshman in 2023-24.
The start of his season was delayed by about a month after the teenager went into cardiac arrest during a USC workout over the summer and underwent surgery to treat a congenital heart defect.
USC missed the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing 1518 season, and its longtime head coach, Andy Enfield, joined SMU in the same role this week.
When he committed to USC, Bronny was projected to be a firstround pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, though many prognosticators now consider him a 2025 prospect. That speculation prompted James in late February to urge outsiders to “let the kid be a kid.”
“The work and results will ultimately do the talking no matter what he decides to do,” James wrote in a since-deleted post on X. “If y’all don’t know he doesn’t care what a mock draft says, he just WORKS! Earned Not Given!”
It’s long been considered a dream of James’ to play in the NBA with his son.
The 39-year-old James, now in his 21st NBA season, has also been cryptic about his future. After a historic shooting performance at Barclays Center on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers star was asked how much longer he expects to play.
“Not very long,” James said after scoring 40 points and shooting 9-of-10 on 3-point attempts in a win against the Nets.
“I’m on the other side, obviously, of the hill, so I’m not going to play another 21 years. That’s for damn sure. Not very long. I don’t know when that door would close, as far as when I’ll retire, but I don’t have much time left.”
In February, The Athletic reported the Lakers expressed a willingness to “explore the notion of adding” Bronny this offseason to satisfy his father, who wields a 2024-25 player option.
James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, entered Wednesday averaging 25.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this season for the Lakers, who improved to 43-33 with Tuesday’s win against Toronto.