Dwight Howard Says LeBron James Is Trying to Get Son Bryce on Lakers with Bronny

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has the rare opportunity to spend the latter part of his career playing alongside his son Bronny James, but one former teammate suggested that the 40-year-old has even greater aspirations.

While discussing his own career during an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, a Wave Original, former Lakers center Dwight Howard suggested that James is also hoping to play in Los Angeles alongside his younger son Bryce James, who is currently a senior at Sierra Canyon High School and committed to play at Arizona.

“I have not officially retired yet, but I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I thought I was going to get back in the league, but Paul said he didn't want nobody over 35 playing center… I asked LeBron. He said he wanted Bronny and he said he's trying to get Bryce,” Howard said. “The last time I told LeBron he said, listen I'm trying to get Bronny and Bryce to be on the Lakers and I'm trying to get Savannah to be– he's going to be the owner of the team so it's a family affair, the whole James family.”

Howard likely was being facetious about James trying to add his wife to the Lakers front office. He added that he enjoyed his experience as James’ teammate, as he was with Los Angeles for its NBA championship win in 2020.

“But no man, I really enjoyed my time with the Lakers. Obviously playing with LeBron, it's a great memory playing with the Lakers,” Howard said. “As far as retirement, man, I just wanted to play as long as I could play, and retire when I feel like retiring, not when somebody else tells me I should or stuff like that.”

Bryce James is a 3-star recruit in 247Sports’ composite, so he may not be a one-and-done prospect. If he chooses to pursue the NBA after his freshman year like his brother Bronny, he runs the risk of being undrafted, which could allow the Lakers to sign him as a free agent. If the elder James truly wants to wait for Bryce to make it to the NBA, it means he will be sticking around for at least two years before his eventual retirement.