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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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It’s not known where Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will play—if he plays—in the NBA next season.
Right now, the 41-year-old superstar is practicing with the South Bay Lakers in the G League as he works his way back from a sciatica injury that’s kept him out since the preseason.
James exercised his $52.6 million player option to stay with the Lakers this season amid rumors that the 21-time All-Star didn’t want to stay in L.A. after the team made it clear 26-year-old point guard Luka Doncic, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade in February for All-Star forward Anthony Davis, was the new face of the franchise.
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While most analysts have cast doubt on James sticking around in L.A. beyond this season, many believe he plans to play in 2026 and possibly beyond.
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That conjecture may have taken a hit recently when Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd announced that it’s possible that freshman guard Bryce James may redshirt this season.
“It puts you in a tough situation,” Lloyd recently told reporters. “You play Bryce in a game for three minutes, it burns a year of eligibility. I wish it was easier. I wish there was a set number of games you could play a guy like they have in football. I think that would make sense for some of these kids, but we don’t.
“I want Bryce to have the best college basketball career and the most options in his college basketball career long-term, whatever that looks like. Throwing a kid with a lot of potential that’s developing … a few garbage minutes — it might feel good now, but potentially down the line it could be something you regret.”
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Many have speculated that James wants to keep his NBA career going long enough to play with Bryce — whether it be on the same team or as opponents.
If Bryce does, in fact, redshirt, it will delay his NBA arrival by at least one year. If Bryce plays multiple college seasons before jumping to the NBA, James may not be around when that happens.
James made NBA history last season when he and his other son Bronny became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together.
Though James has downplayed Bryce’s NBA future having any bearing on how long he continues playing, few would fault the four-time NBA champion for wanting to make history with his youngest son.
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