Lakers' Bronny James isn't ready for father to retire: 'Pleasure being around him'

While the Los Angeles Lakers’ season didn’t finish their 2024-25 season with a successful championship run, one particular asset should be proud of what he accomplished this year. 

The organization’s popular rookie, Bronny James, exhibited potential toward the season's end and received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the court with his future Hall-of-Fame father, LeBron James. 

In the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the James clan became the first father-son duo in NBA history to play together on the hardwood. 

The son of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time isn’t sure if his role model will return for his 23rd NBA season in 2025-26, but during a recent interview, he stated that he isn't ready for him to exit the league.

“It's a blessing," James told FOX Sports’ Melissa Rohlin Thursday. "Being able to learn from him, not only as a player, but as a dad. It's a different type of relationship. 

“I try to take full advantage of it because it's something that a lot of people can't have. It was an amazing experience for me. And I'm looking forward to learning more from him, if he's still here or not, either way. But I'm just looking forward to it."

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“However long he can come back for, it's always a pleasure being around him. He's locked in. The stuff he does for his body and the preparation and stuff like that, I want to take full advantage of it."

The USC product received immediate scrutiny when the Lakers selected James with the No. 55 overall pick last June. 

James, who suffered from a cardiac arrest before the start of the 2023-24 college basketball campaign, failed to make a lasting impression on NBA scouts when he finally returned to action. 

The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 4.8 points per contest in 25 contests, shooting 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from deep. 

Still, with his father’s guidance, James played well in the NBA G League and showed he could develop into a serviceable NBA player with time. 

The more experienced James performed like a superhuman 6-foot-9 forward for the 22nd consecutive season. 

The 21-time All-Star is unquestionably an aging superstar, but his commendable upper body strength and instinctual approach as a passer allow him to be a high-impact contributor in his 40s.

However, considering the NBA is a demanding league that can take a toll on players physically and mentally, the four-time NBA champion could retire this summer.

Even if the end is near, it’s reasonable to assume the Lakers’ inspirational father-son duo will continue to support one another and create new memories as a tight-knit basketball family.

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