The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for the upcoming NBA season with a sense of cautious optimism, driven by a mix of experience and youth under the leadership of their new head coach, JJ Redick. As LeBron James embarks on his 22nd season in the league at the age of 39, the possibility of sharing the court with his son, Bronny James, has fans buzzing with anticipation.
Family Ties on the Court
Bronny James, who was selected with the 55th pick in the second round, has joined the Lakers following a single season at USC. Although he is expected to spend considerable time in the G League, the potential for father and son to play together remains a significant storyline. “We obviously have talked about it as a staff and we've gotten into some specifics of what that might look like. But we haven't committed to anything,” said head coach JJ Redick. “And obviously, there's a discussion to be had once we're all together with Bronny and LeBron, too. They should be a part of that discussion as well.”
The atmosphere during practices has been competitive, with General Manager Rob Pelinka recounting an early encounter between the James duo: “[Bronny] got switched onto LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under off the glass. The words exchanged afterward were probably more challenging than anything else.” This glimpse into their dynamic hints at the unique challenges and opportunities ahead.
Building Sustainable Excellence
Moving forward, Redick is optimistic about Bronny's potential. “Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him because he's young and he's hungry, and he's got a lot of inherent skillsets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player,” Redick commented. This sentiment aligns with Pelinka’s broader vision for the team. “I think the philosophy that JJ and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence,” Pelinka shared. “And I think, when we talk about moves, you can make a move that backfires. But every lens that we look through has to lead to sustainable Lakers excellence.”
Health and Readiness
As the regular season draws near, commencing on October 22 with a season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers’ focus is also on the health of key players. Gabe Vincent and Jalen-Hood Schifino are reported to be in good shape, giving the team a boost in not just depth but also versatility. Jarred Vanderbilt, however, remains a point of concern after undergoing procedures on both feet during the offseason.
Despite these uncertainties, Rob Pelinka remains hopeful. “We have a lot of optimism that when the real games start, he'll be available,” he said. “Between now and then, there is still about a month, and there are a lot of ramp-up steps that need to go well, so hopefully there won't be setbacks.”
A Look at the Roster
The Lakers’ roster remains largely unchanged from last season, maintaining a sense of continuity while integrating fresh talent like Bronny James. This blend of seasoned veterans and younger players presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Redick, who is navigating his first season with the team. “I don't look at it as a challenge,” Redick emphasized. “It's unique from any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship.”
With these elements in play, the upcoming season for the Lakers is shaping up to be a compelling narrative. Whether LeBron and Bronny James will indeed share the court remains to be seen, but the prospect itself is enough to keep the Lakers’ faithful eagerly anticipating what could be a historic season.
As the Lakers prepare for their season opener, the focus will undoubtedly be on execution and cohesion, ensuring that each step taken is in the direction of sustainable excellence. For fans, the combination of star power, promising youth, and experienced leadership offers plenty of reasons to be excited for what lies ahead.