Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James defended his son Bronny James against accusations of nepotism, insisting the 21-year-old guard has secured his place in the league through his own work.
In an interview with Time magazine, LeBron responded to criticism that Bronny’s presence on the Lakers is the result of family ties. “The kid has earned his right to be a professional athlete,” he said. “If you want to talk about the kid, that he shouldn’t be an NBA player, I don’t care about that. As long as you don’t get to the fatherhood piece. I don’t play those games.”
Bronny just finished his second NBA season, both spent with Los Angeles after being selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He remains under contract for the 2026-27 campaign, while LeBron enters free agency this summer, opening the possibility the two could play on different teams for the first time.
Lakers coaches used a combination of G League assignments and spot minutes to accelerate Bronny’s development. Once considered hesitant on offense and undersized on defense, he has grown into a confident two-way contributor who could claim a regular rotation role next season.
LeBron Weighs Retirement Timeline
The four-time NBA champion also addressed his own future, saying retirement will hinge on his mental readiness and willingness to continue the physical grind. Although he is “motivated enough” to return for Year 24, James emphasized that no final decision has been made.
Source: Lakers Nation
