October 2024. LBJ throws a bounce pass to Bronny. The crowd erupts. History’s not written—it’s passed. The first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. Legacy met the league that night. And maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t LeBron’s final act—but the beginning of something even wilder.
And yet, while the world was celebrating, Savannah James was already thinking beyond the celebration. One son had made it. The other was still climbing.
Enter Bryce James. Bryce averaged 6.9 points on the EYBL circuit and 5.6 at Peach Jam. In Sierra Canyon’s championship game? Just three points. Solid—but far from a guaranteed ticket.
Still, stats don’t always tell the full story. He’s quieter. Taller. Still growing into his frame. A player who hasn’t lived in viral clips or mixtape culture. He recently committed to the University of Arizona, bypassing flashier routes. And while he’s not projected to be a one-and-done superstar, what he does have is what LeBron values most: work ethic, patience, and hunger.
Savannah’s post after his Arizona commitment said it all. “So proud of you @_justbryce!! Your silent hustle has definitely not gone unnoticed!! I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to cheer you on through this journey!”
Keywords here: Silent hustle. Noticed.
That wasn’t just a mother’s encouragement—it was a window into how the James family sees this path. Not everyone can be anointed early. Some have to climb. Inch by inch. Bryce’s story might not be front-page news yet—but it’s very much part of the legacy.
And that’s where Savannah’s wish comes in—shared by Rachel Nichols, who’s spent years inside the NBA’s deepest circles. In a recent segment, Nichols revealed: “With Savannah James saying she wants LeBron to keep playing until Bryce makes the league—that’s not next season, but the one after when he’s done at Arizona—it’s all lining up.”
Nichols continued, painting the full picture: “LeBron’s window has now been extended, because for the first time in his entire career, he can actually lay back for the first three quarters of playoff games if needed, let Austin Reaves and Luka go off, and then show up in the fourth the way he always does. He can still anchor the defense, just not for all four quarters—but if he’s rested, he’s lethal in the fourth.”
LeBron’s already made history with Bronny. But there’s something poetic—even sacred—about the possibility of being there for Bryce, too. Not just in the stands or just courtside, but on the floor where he is sharing a bench and a game.
However, this means two more seasons of 9 p.m. bedtimes. Of five-hour pregame routines. Of speedy recovery, precision eating, endless flights, and playoff pushes. It means pushing a 40-year-old body through a 22-year-old league. And yet—LeBron hasn’t blinked. He’s never needed Bryce to be ranked. He’s posted his clips anyway. Not because of potential, but because of pride.
So when Savannah said, don’t stop, she wasn’t asking for a fairytale. She was asking him to finish the job. Not the one with stats. The one with heart. Becauce imagine: LeBron at 41. Bronny on one side. Bryce on the other. Two sons. One court. One moment. And maybe that’s what makes it so unlikely—and so worth chasing. If Bryce completes just one year at Arizona and declares, he’d be eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft—perfectly aligned with LeBron’s potential final season.
Lebron has One Foot in His Legacy, One in Vegas
But basketball doesn’t offer neat endings. LeBron is staring down two futures.
In one: a purple and gold jersey, one more run, and the impossible—sharing the court with both sons. A legacy only a handful of athletes have even dreamed of.
In the other: ownership. Power. Vegas. He’s been circling it for years. With expansion on the horizon and the NBA preparing new media deals, the timing is sharp. If he waits too long, that franchise may no longer have his name on it. Reports have already hinted he’s the front-runner for the Vegas team if it launches within the next two years.
According to Rachel Nichols, “If he has the chance to tie Kobe—or what about tie Michael Jordan for rings?… The one thing the MJ-over-LeBron crowd always says is: six finals, six rings. I think LeBron would be very interested in winning ring five and six before ownership.” She added, “You don’t think if Luka’s winning him rings, he’s gonna stick around? He absolutely could. The only thing that might pull LeBron away is owning that Vegas team.”
And now, with Luka Doncic by his side, the math finally works. Doncic’s arrival hasn’t just added firepower—it’s recalibrated the entire offense. His ability to absorb primary playmaking duties gives LeBron the one thing he’s rarely had: the freedom to pick his spots, conserve energy, and deliver when it matters most.
The Lakers have entered the 2025 playoffs with a revamped identity—headlined by the most dangerous offensive pairing in the league: LeBron and Luka. And together, they’ve become a matchup nightmare. LeBron, now more surgical than explosive, thrives in this new balance. He no longer has to play 40+ minutes of brute force basketball. Luka initiates. Reaves slashes. LeBron finishes. Orchestrates. Baits. Closes.
However, this brings us to the unavoidable question: how long can he keep this up? Because while Savannah’s quiet ask represents the emotional side of this journey—family, legacy, and one final shared moment—the physical toll is undeniable.
LeBron is now 40. He’s still averaging near 25.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists, per NBA.com. But the cost is steep. His recovery regimen is legendary but is it sustaianable? “If I ever stop wanting to be five hours early… that’s when I’ll know,” he told Pat McAfee. “That’s when it’s a wrap.”
He hasn’t hit that point yet. But it’s creeping in. The thought of retirement shows up more often. Not because he can’t perform. But because he’s aware. Of the grind. Of the years. Of the window.
So yes—he’s watching Bryce’s timeline. He’s tracking Vegas. He’s eyeing legacy and making Savannah’s wishes come true. But he’s also counting rings. This isn’t just LeBron’s swan song. It might be his best final act. Which means? He might just have enough left in the tank to rewrite the ending.
The greatest assist of LeBron’s life won’t come in transition. It’ll come when he hands the ball to his son—and lets go. And just maybe, it’s the only stat that will outlast them all.
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