The Los Angeles Lakers are usually one of the most fascinating teams to monitor in the NBA, owing to their history of championship-caliber success and the franchise’s penchant for attracting some of basketball’s biggest stars.

But the 2024/25 Lakers are going to be interesting for reasons beyond possible (albeit unlikely) championship contention. Rookie head coach J.J. Redick will have to navigate the dynamics in a locker room dominated by superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James — with LeBron’s son Bronny looming in the shadows amid a likely start in the developmental G League. It’s too early to talk about “locker room fractures” or anything of that nature, but fans are already getting a glimpse into the relationship between Davis, LeBron, and Bronny.

Lapresse

AD is looking out for Bronny

On the latest episode of his HBO talk show “The Shop”, LeBron recalled NBA Draft night in April, when Bronny went 55th overall to Los Angeles — giving the Jameses a shot at becoming the first active father-son duo to team up in the NBA. There was palpable excitement among the Lakers’ stars and front office personnel when they realized they would be able to select Bronny in the second round — but perhaps no one was more excited than Davis.

“AD FaceTimed me like, ‘I don’t want to talk to you, I want to talk to my new teammate. Put him on the phone,'” LeBron said.

Four months later, LeBron and AD would go on to win the gold medal as members of a star-studded Team USA at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, showing that their bond remains as tight as ever. Meanwhile, Bronny stayed back in the United States to work on his craft.

Even though Bronny is slated to play with the South Bay Lakers this fall, rapid progress could see him receive an NBA debut before too long — and help his father, arguably the greatest player in league history, achieve a generational dream. And with his biggest fan AD in the locker room, Bronny’s adaptation to the pro basketball lifestyle might be faster than previously imagined.