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Bryce James Update Could Decide LeBron James’ NBA Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated May 1, 2025 1:51 PM ET

Now that the Los Angeles Lakers have been eliminated from the playoffs, many are wondering if 21-time All-Star and four-time champion LeBron James will come back for a record 23rd NBA season.

The 40-year-old small forward didn’t give reporters any clarity about the situation, stating after L.A.’s Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday he’d have to sit down with his family and weigh his options.

And while James got to check one major milestone off his bucket list this year—playing with his son, 20-year-old rookie Bronny James—fans may be holding out hope that another one of James’ offspring will keep him around for a little while longer.

As ESPN’s Shams Charania pointed out during a Thursday appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” James may be enticed to keep playing until his other son Bryce James makes it to the league.

“The expectation is he’s going to be playing at least another season, but again, how long — and the other thing is does Bryce James, his son, does that factor or play into it at all?” Charania asked.

“His son is going to be potentially draft eligible in 2026, next year, so if he feels that next year Bryce James might be an NBA player, might be a draft-eligible player, does he extend that window? I think that’s the only potential caveat that you’d think of out there that could Keep LeBron James at least longer than one more year.”

"There's no expectation for LeBron James to retire..

My understanding is that he will play at least another NBA season" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/unTTGf8Mkn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2025

Bryce, a 17-year-old 6-foot-4 three-star shooting guard for Sierra Canyon School, recently announced his commitment to Arizona in mid-April.

The early consensus among scouts seems to be that Bryce will be a more highly regarded NBA prospect than his brother Bronny, who was a second-round pick in the 2024 draft (No. 55 overall).

And while it’s unlikely that James could mastermind his way into having both of his sons on the same team as himself, perhaps just being able to share the court with both (even if one plays for the opposition) in the NBA is something that could convince James to play beyond the 2025-26 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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