At NBA All-Star 2022, Lakers superstar LeBron James made headlines in more ways than one, but no statement was as strong as the proclamation that he plans on playing alongside his son, Bronny, before retiring
“Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be," James told The Athletic. "I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
MORE: LeBron James won't rule out return to Cavs, pledges to play final NBA season with son
Bronny, a 17-year old high school junior at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif., is making a name for himself as an elite prospect. A 6-foot-3 combo guard, Bronny is considered the 34th-best prospect in the Class of 2023, according to 247Sports.
20 years after his dad was captivating national audiences as a high school junior, Bronny is doing the same for a nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon team. So how soon could his father's wish come true?
While it's true that LeBron hasn't shown signs of slowing down anytime soon, how many years will it be until Bronny is eligible to join his dad in the NBA?
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When can Bronny James play in the NBA?
To be eligible for selection in the NBA Draft, a player must be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which the draft is held and at least one year should have elapsed since the player's graduation from high school.
MORE: 2022 NBA Mock Draft
Per these rules, Bronny James could enter the 2024 NBA Draft as it falls one year after he graduates high school in 2023. Born on Oct. 6, 2004, Bronny James would turn 20 ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, while his father would turn 40 in December of 2024.
Could Bronny James enter the draft earlier than 2024?
Hypothetically speaking, Bronny's birthdate would allow him to enter the 2023 NBA Draft if he were to reclassify and graduate from high school in 2022. From there, he could enroll to play at a prep school, a college or sign with a non-NBA team such as the G League Ignite for the 2022-23 season.
Once he was a year removed from graduating, Bronny James could enter the 2023 NBA Draft as his 19th birthday falls in the year 2023. LeBron will turn 39 during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Can LeBron James play with his son, Bronny?
Whether or not Bronny enters the NBA in 2023 or 2024, LeBron's quote insinuates that he will use free agency to join whichever team selects Bronny in the draft.
How could LeBron do that? His contract situation provides clarity.
LeBron James' Contract
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| LeBron James | $41,180,544 | $44,474,988 | Unrestricted Free Agent |
LeBron will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023. If Bronny is unable to join the NBA until 2024, LeBron could potentially sign a one-year contract in 2023 in order to align his free agency with his son's draft eligibility.
How tall is Bronny James?
According to 247Sports.com, Bronny measures in at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
A combo guard, he is capable of playing both the point and shooting guard positions.
What are Bronny James' college offers?
According to Eric Bossi of 247Sports, Bronny is believed to have received interest from Duke, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas among other schools.
ESPN, which pegs Bronny James as the 43rd-best recruit in the Class of 2023, shows that he has received a scholarship offer from John Calipari and the University of Kentucky.
