It is 2026, LeBron James is 41 years old, making him the longest playing player in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. LeBron’s youngest son Bryce James is eligible to enter the NBA after one year of college, making Bryce eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft. LeBron’s eldest child, Bronny James is entering his rookie season as Los Angeles Laker. One may wonder, is LeBron planning a succession plan?  However, numerous news and sports media outlets are questioning whether Bronny’s drafting to the Los Angeles Lakers is a classic case of nepotism.

Bronny as a rookie has a 7.9 million dollar contract making over a million dollars a year. Would he have such a high contract as a second round rookie if his father wasn’t LeBron James? The 2026 NBA season raises questions about LeBron James’ potential succession plan, as his eldest son Bronny enters his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers amidst scrutiny of nepotism, while his youngest son Bryce becomes eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft.

LeBron James’ strategic career moves should be studied. He is a 20-time NBA All-Star, 4-time Finals MVP, and the only player in NBA history to record at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. Though his future successors have major shoes to fill,  let us not forget about his ambitions that he made known early in his career. 

In a 2014 interview with GQ, LeBron James made known of his goal of becoming a billionaire as a NBA player.

“If it happens. It’s my biggest milestone.”  – LeBron James

In 2022, at the age of 37, LeBron became the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes.  In that same year 2014, LeBron threw out in the universe it would be a dream to play with his son Bronny in the league.  The universe saw fit and Bronny James is a Los Angeles Laker.

Let’s get back to the idea of Lebron’s succession plan. Both Bronny and Bryce have already demonstrated that they are formidable basketball players. Bronny’s stats prior to his cardiac arrest were 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He led his team to a 23–11 record. Bronny is now drafted to the Lakers and made history as part of the first father-son duo on the same court.

Bryce is considered a high school prodigy and has earned two Division I offers from Duquesne University and Ohio State.  With the guidance and elite training from their father and others, the two James brothers can potentially prove their worth.  Regardless of their hard-earned success, others still argue that Bronny and Bryce are simply “nepo babies,” regardless of how well they perform. 

The risk and implications for the NBA, Lakers, and LeBron James are vast. With Bronny drafted to the Lakers, it could possibly tarnish many things. One of them could be the legacy of his father if he does not meet the high expectations set on him by fans, media outlets and everyone in between. The NBA could receive backlash from the press and others for choosing Bronny because of who his father is or they chose Bronny too soon because of his college career.

The championship team, the Lakers, is facing criticism for drafting Bronny based on his previous season stats. Not to mention, there is a lot at stake for LeBron, one of the best basketball players of all time, as his legacy needs to be protected and continued through his successors that meets the hype.

A classic case of nepotism or a dream fulfilled? LeBron has been dreaming of this sentimental moment for quite some time. He has always said, it’s his dream to play with his son on the court. Now that the time is here, the question is, will he be playing with both of his sons. 

Argue if you will whether Bronny and, possibly are products of nepotism, but when your father is an influential billionaire NBA Star, success is inevitable. LeBron is making moves as the average billionaire would in his position, if you ask me. It’s exhilarating to see what the future holds for the James family’s legacy and ongoing succession plan. An ongoing legacy for two or three more generations of James’ that will exist beyond LeBron’s own lifetime.

Potentially a first-time line of succession /legacy.