LeBron James and his son, Bronny, are already scrimmaging with the remainder of the Los Angeles Lakers throughout voluntary offseason exercises. JJ Redick and his teaching employees are planning and discussing the second early within the new season when a father and son will share an NBA court docket for the primary time.
Whereas the specifics of that historic day aren’t set but, Redick shares the basketball world’s anticipation of the possibility to observe the highest scorer in NBA historical past enjoying alongside the Lakers’ new second-round draft choose. No father and son have ever performed within the NBA concurrently, not to mention on the identical group.
“We don’t have something deliberate, per se, when it comes to a dedication to do it this manner,” Redick mentioned. “We clearly have talked about it as a employees, and we’ve gotten into some specifics of what that may seem like, however we haven’t dedicated to something, and clearly there’s a dialogue available as soon as we’re all collectively, with Bronny and LeBron, too. They need to be part of that dialogue as properly.”
Redick and common supervisor Rob Pelinka expressed pleasure for the team-up on Wednesday throughout a pre-season information convention. Redick sees solely constructive points in pairing the duo on the court docket, and he doesn’t anticipate any friction or considerations within the household dynamic.
“I don’t take a look at it as a problem that’s distinctive from every other problem of teaching a participant or teaching a relationship,” Redick mentioned.
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Pelinka then humorously interjected an anecdote from a latest exercise scrimmage: “Perhaps the problem is on Bronny, when like in our pickup recreation, he bought switched on to LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and below off the glass. The phrases exchanged afterwards had been most likely more difficult than anything.”
The Lakers haven’t introduced or determined how lengthy Bronny, who will flip 20 throughout coaching camp, shall be on the NBA roster together with his well-known father, who turns 40 in December.
Though the entrance workplace hasn’t confirmed it, Bronny James appears prone to spend a lot of the upcoming season within the G League growing his expertise. He performed in solely 25 video games throughout his sole season on the College of Southern California after recovering from cardiac arrest throughout an offseason exercise.
Pelinka and Redick are nonetheless extraordinarily bullish on the 6-foot-2 Bronny’s means to grow to be an NBA contributor.
“Bronny, I really feel very lucky that I get to teach him, as a result of he’s younger and he’s hungry and he’s bought a variety of inherent ability units that we will actually mildew into a very good NBA participant,” Redick mentioned. “On high of that, he’s a improbable child. He’s extraordinarily coachable. He’s bought the precise spirit and vitality each single day.”
LeBron James took a trip after main the U.S. to a gold medal on the Paris Olympics, however he has been again within the health club for the previous two weeks, Redick mentioned.
The Lakers’ entrance workplace didn’t make any daring strikes over the summer season, constrained by their high gamers’ contracts and the brand new league system that has made it way more troublesome to improve rosters, based on Pelinka.
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So, the Lakers roster across the James household shall be largely the identical group that made the Western Convention finals in 2023, however then completed eighth within the West final spring earlier than shedding to Denver within the first spherical. These Lakers weren’t an elite group even with glorious well being for LeBron and Anthony Davis, two high-mileage veterans who’ve struggled with main damage issues in earlier seasons.
Pelinka mentioned he can be open to transferring his two tradeable first-round picks if he noticed a deal that might lead “to sustainable Lakers excellence.” He would additionally transfer one choose for a “marginal improve, if we felt prefer it was the precise factor to do.”
Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are wholesome for coaching camp, however not everybody shall be prepared for exercises subsequent week.
Christian Wooden shall be re-evaluated in six weeks after present process left knee surgical procedure earlier this month.
Pelinka additionally revealed that Jarred Vanderbilt, the defence-minded wingman who performed in solely 29 video games final season on account of a foot damage, had profitable “procedures” on each of his ft early within the offseason. The swingman continues to be recovering, however Pelinka mentioned he’s optimistic Vanderbilt shall be able to play by opening evening on October 22.