The first in the NBA to play with one of his sons?
As of today, the ‘King’ can elect to sign a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the yellow and purple. What does this mean beyond continuing to enjoy one of the Association’s top figures and a basketball legend?
Currently 37 years old, if James signs the extension it means he would be on the court for three more seasons, so he would be playing at least until the age of 40. And if he manages to do so alongside one of his sons, in this case Bronny, we can certify that no other player in the history of the League has done so.
James has repeatedly said that one of his greatest desires is to play alongside his eldest son Bronny, well, with the extension (if it comes to fruition), the ‘King’ would be active for the 2024-25 season, when Bronny will be eligible to play in the NBA.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, no father/son duo has ever played together in NBA history in the same season, let alone on the same team, so that would be one more mark for the Akron, Ohio native.
In that sense James and Bronny would join the only father/son duos in American sports history to accomplish such a feat: Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. (MLB), Tim Raines and Tim Raines Jr. (MLB) and Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty (NHL).
The idea doesn’t look far-fetched when you consider that, like fine wines, LeBron has improved over the years, or at least maintained his scoring averages.
With numbers of 30.3 points per game last season, James recorded the second most points in a season in his career, behind only 2005-06 (31.4) and also became the oldest player to average 30 in a season in NBA history.
Finally, should he play for the next three seasons, James would be matching Vince Carter, who played 22 NBA seasons; LeBron now has 19 in his long career, so he could retire with the same 22 as “Vinsanity” or perhaps opt to play one more and leave an almost unbeatable 23 years in the league, but only time will tell.