LeBron James’ 16-year-old son Bryce James drew attention when a TikTok video was reposted to his page that trolled Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham after the team's season-ending loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Monday night.
“The Nuggets are on a 15-0 run,” the image read, which featured a photo of the cartoon character Arthur smiling with his hands in his pockets.
@luh.vgo #nba #darvinham #nbamemes #lakers #nbaplayoffs #lebron #basketball #fyp #foryou #xycba #fypツ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp ♬ IAN X DJHOLIDAYY – Jpreme Plug
Darin Ham's long-term status with the Lakers has been a topic of discussion all season. Now, after losing in five games to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Ham's immediate future with the organization is in serious doubt, with stakeholders indicating that it is “highly unlikely” that he will return for the 2024-25 season.
Ham, who was hired by the team prior to the 2022-23 season, has frequently been criticized for his lack of in-game adjustments and rotations. There has also reportedly been a disconnect between the players and coaching staff that has existed since they won the first NBA In-Season Tournament in December. The locker room led by LeBron and Anthony Davis helped spark their end-of-season run in light of the perceived absence of leadership from the coaches.
All of this has left owner Jeanie Buss and executive Rob Pelinka with a massive, possibly franchise-altering decision to make regarding their head coach.
LeBron James' future with Lakers in doubt?
James has a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season that is worth $51.41 million with the Lakers. He has until June 29 to decide whether or not to pick it up. If he decides not to exercise the option, he will be a free agent, which would fuel further speculations about where he would play next — unless he shocks the world and decides to retire.
There is also the Bronny James factor, which could ultimately decide where LeBron James will play next season. He wants to play with his son in the NBA but the younger James isn't exactly a lock to be drafted this year after posting minimal numbers with the USC Trojans in his freshman year.
The Lakers, who own the 17th and 55th overall picks in this June's draft, are open to the idea of drafting Bronny if that means keeping LeBron, per The Athletic.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst believes James will opt out.
“LeBron I do think will opt out, and I think he’s going to opt out for two reasons. One, his son is in the draft, and he’s expressed on a number of occasions and sometimes more hotly than others.”
Windhorst then elaborates on what LeBron's thought process may be when considering opting out of his contract with the Lakers.
“Number one, you know the draft is June 27th or 28th…whatever it is, and free agency starts July 1st. So LeBron having his free agency open during the draft could be beneficial. The second reason is that LeBron does not have a no-trade clause in his contract and if he picks up an option in the deal he can’t get a no-trade clause.
At the trade deadline this year, there were conversations between the Warriors and the Lakers about him. Now I wouldn’t think that the Lakers would ever trade him, and certainly would never trade him without his consent, but why not get a no-trade clause if you could get it, and you can't get it without opting out.”
It's going to be a busy offseason in Laker Land.
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