LeBron James has long maintained that he would like to play with his son in the NBA before he eventually retires. His son Bronny is currently a high school junior, and will be draft-eligible in two years under the league’s current rules.
James’ former Los Angeles Lakers teammate and good friend Carmelo Anthony could have a similar opportunity to play with his son, Kiyan, if he wished to delay retirement. But unlike James, Anthony does not plan to do that.
“No, no I do not,” Anthony said during an NBA Summer League broadcast. “I think it’ll be time for me to pass him the torch. I’d rather just pass him the torch when that time comes.”
“No, no I do not.” – @carmeloanthony on if he has similar plans as LeBron to play with his son in the NBA.
Both Melo and LeBron are entering their 20th season. pic.twitter.com/H1hT6YHB9i
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) July 12, 2022
That’s a very fair response, considering that Anthony would have to play in the NBA until he is at least 42 years old to have a chance to play alongside his son. And that’s assuming Kiyan makes it to the NBA the first year he is eligible.
The plan is far more realistic for James, as he is a year younger than Anthony and Bronny is two years older than Kiyan. If Bronny makes the NBA the first year he is eligible, James will be 39 years old. And from the sound of it, James fully intends to play at least one season with his son.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James told The Athletic in February. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
