Bronny James says he isn’t being attentive to LeBron hypothesis

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Whereas the basketball world continued to marvel what LeBron James would do subsequent as NBA free company reached its third day with comparatively little exercise from the Los Angeles Lakers, it was enterprise as ordinary for Bronny James contained in the group’s follow facility Wednesday.

The youthful James, who accomplished his rookie season a few months in the past after being drafted No. 55 in June 2024, labored out with the Lakers’ summer time league group that can full within the California Basic in San Francisco beginning Saturday.

LeBron, in the meantime, opted into the final year of a contract worth $56.2 million over the weekend, however that information got here with a caveat. James’ agent and CEO of Klutch Sports activities, Wealthy Paul, informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the four-time champion can be intently monitoring the Lakers’ offseason strikes to enhance the group.

“We perceive the problem in successful now whereas getting ready for the long run,” Paul informed ESPN. “We do wish to consider what’s finest for LeBron at this stage in his life and profession. He desires to make each season he has left depend, and the Lakers perceive that, are supportive and wish what’s finest for him.”

That assertion has brought on many across the league to query if James would ask for a commerce if Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations and common supervisor, did not improve the roster in a passable method. Paul clarified to ESPN on Monday that he had not mentioned wanting a commerce from the Lakers — though he additionally informed ESPN that 4 groups contacted him about being occupied with buying and selling for James.

Paul mentioned he didn’t interact in “substantive” talks with any of these groups, however his preliminary assertion — mixed with the Lakers’ quiet begin to free company — had brought on hypothesis to run rampant about LeBron’s future.

Bronny, who has informed reporters previously he doesn’t spend an excessive amount of time on social media, couldn’t handle to keep away from the conjecture about his father.

“Really, one in all my buddies known as me, speaking about the place [I was going to play next season], what I used to be going to do as a result of they noticed my dad [in the news],” Bronny mentioned Wednesday. “I did not see it. He known as me. I used to be like, ‘Yeah, I do not know what you are speaking about.’ … I do not actually take note of that stuff. There’s a number of stuff going round that I do not take note of.”

Bronny mentioned he had not had a lot dialogue along with his father in regards to the route of the franchise and LeBron’s want to remain or depart L.A.

“We do not actually speak about it a lot,” Bronny mentioned. “I believe when stuff like that does come up, he simply tells me to not fear about it, to not even take note of it [and] simply lock into what you have got occurring proper now. And that is what is going on to get me higher and to maintain me centered. I believe it is good that he tells me to not take note of that stuff.”

About an hour after Wednesday’s follow, free agent middle Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 decide within the 2018 draft, agreed to sign with the Lakers, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania. On Monday, the Lakers agreed to signal ahead Jake LaRavia.

“Clearly being on the group, I believe we’re going come again even higher than we had been final 12 months,” Bronny mentioned. “We simply obtained to come back in right here and are available within the health club with a objective and be able to work day by day and be able to get higher day by day.”

The Lakers’ summer time league group shall be coached by assistant coach Beau Levesque within the California Basic after which by assistant coach Lindsey Harding on the Las Vegas Summer time League. Among the many follow members Wednesday had been 2019 first-round decide Darius Bazley and Cole Swider, who performed for the South Bay Lakers within the G League final season.

Second-round decide Adou Thiero, chosen at No. 36 on this 12 months’s draft after the Lakers traded up twice to get him, was held out of form due to his left knee and won’t take part in summer time league video games, in line with the group.