There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding LeBron James ' upcoming stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. With his team unable to acquire another impact player who could help him and resident superstar Anthony Davis turn the Lakers' fortunes around, the 20-time All-Star will have to put a heavy load on his 39-year-old shoulders once again.
However, "The King" recently made one thing clear: he will not be called "dad" by his son and Lakers teammate Bronny James when they're working in the NBA.
Bronny can call him "GOAT"
In an upcoming episode of "The Shop," the four-time league MVP divulged that he and his 19-year-old son have already discussed the dynamics of their relationship once they leave the house and head to work for the Lakers. And the veteran forward made it very clear to his eldest son that he would not be referred to as "dad" when they're on the court or in the practice facility.
"We already laid that down. He cannot call me 'dad' in the workplace," LeBron said. "Once we leave out of the practice facility and the gates close, I can be 'dad' again."
Rather than dad, LeBron said his son can call him "Bron," "2-3," or even "GOAT" if he wants to. The choice is his to make.
At the same time, the four-time NBA champ and recent Olympic gold-medal winner stressed he will still assume his fatherly duties and will be there for his son any time he needs assistance.
"Once we leave the private facility and the gates close, in the car if we ride together, I could be 'dad' again," LeBron shared.
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No adjustments on his end
Even though the Lakers weren't able to snag a big-name free agent, they still made waves when they selected LeBron's son, Bronny, with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The franchise's decision-makers then gave the 6-foot-1 guard a guaranteed four-year deal that would pay him $7.9 million—a rarity for players picked in the second round.
Bronny played in the Las Vegas Summer League and finished with averages of 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. LeBron said that it will not be difficult for him to communicate with his son in the NBA. However, he surmised that Bronny might not feel the same way.
"It's easy for me. It's going to be an adjustment for him," James said with a grin on his face. "But we can not be running down the court, and he be like, 'Dad, push the ball up. Dad, I'm open! Dad!' No, he cannot do that."
Even though Bronny isn't expected to be part of the Lakers' rotation soon, hoop fans are waiting for the father-son duo to finally take the court together in an actual NBA game. That would surely be a sight to see if and when that happens.
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