LeBron James has signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, signaling an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA for the star player. His decision, however, does not indicate a move for his son, Bronny James, according to agent Rich Paul.
Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, which represents both LeBron and Bronny James, stated that the father and son are "not a package deal." Bronny James' status with the Los Angeles Lakers remains unchanged for now, as his contract for the upcoming season became fully guaranteed in late June when the team opted not to waive him before the deadline.
LeBron James expressed his motivation for the move in a social media statement, citing his pursuit of a fifth NBA championship. "This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship," James wrote. He added, "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!"
Bronny James was drafted by the Lakers in 2024, making him and his father the first father-son duo to play in the NBA. LeBron James had spoken about the significance of sharing an NBA locker room with his son, a milestone that became more pronounced when they played together in competitive games later in the past season. Despite this, Paul's clarification suggests that the continuation of this on-court pairing was not a factor in LeBron's decision to move to Philadelphia.
All indications point to Bronny James remaining with the Lakers, where he is expected to continue his development under head coach J.J. Redick. The Lakers' backcourt will be anchored by Luka Doncic, with Austin Reaves also expected to play a key role. Bronny played in 42 games last season, averaging 2.9 points per game, an increase from his rookie campaign where he appeared in 27 games.