LeBron James favorite and assistant coach David Fizdale has rejoined the Phoenix Suns, which is another indication that the team may be trying to entice the four-time MVP away from the rival Los Angeles Lakers. After head coach Frank Vogel was fired in Phoenix, Fizdale’s future seemed uncertain, but he is currently getting ready to stick with the team under new head coach Mike Budenholzer.
It is generally anticipated that James, 39, will choose not to accept his contract’s final year and $51 million. Even if he might yet go back to Los Angeles, the Suns have a number of compelling selling factors.
Fizdale, who previously worked with James in Miami under Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, is not the only player the Suns are reportedly considering selecting with the No. 22 pick in next month’s NBA Draft: LeBron’s 19-year-old son Bronny. James had previously expressed his wish to play with Bronny, who has chosen to stay in the draft as opposed to going back to USC or attending another university.
NBA Insider Evan Sidery stated on X that “the Suns are hoping to pursue LeBron James this offseason, which is why Bronny James is a very serious draft option at No. 22 overall to potentially lure him in.” Phoenix seems to think they can persuade LeBron to form an unprecedented superteam with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
That claim supports another by Shams Charania of The Athletic, who stated on the Run It Back FanDuel TV show that Bronny intends to train with both the Suns and the Lakers.
Ames is connected to the Suns in multiple ways.
James Jones, Fizdale’s former Heat and Cavaliers colleague, is in charge of the Suns’ front office in addition to Fizdale, whom James has endearingly called a “great coach” and “great communicator.”
James is also acquainted with the high-scoring offense of the Suns because he played alongside Booker and Durant on Team USA.
The Suns are even connected to James’ agent, Rich Paul, through the former of another client, Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic.
However, it’s important to remember that James would have to forfeit about $50 million by opting out of his contract and signing in Phoenix on a veteran’s minimum contract before he could begin looking for a home in Maricopa County.
Of all, James is already rumored to be worth a billion dollars, so the opportunity to play with Bronny on a championship team might be worth an additional $50 million.
“If LeBron were to seriously consider signing a veteran’s minimum contract with the Suns, he would be forfeiting nearly $50 million in revenue for the upcoming season,” wrote Sidery. Is it possible that the Suns have a grand scheme involving LeBron and Bronny? That appears to be on the table, for sure.
This season, Phoenix and Los Angeles placed sixth and seventh in the Western Conference, respectively. Both teams lost in the first round and are currently trying to get back on track for a 2024–2025 championship run.
Whichever team selects Bronny, who Charania reports is expected to be selected in the late first or early second round, might ultimately determine LeBron’s landing destination.
After suffering a heart collapse during practice in July 2023, Bronny’s one and only season as a college basketball player was a huge disappointment.
After being given the all-clear to play again, he only played 19.4 minutes a game on average for the Trojans, scoring 4.8 points a game.
There’s still a chance Bronny gets selected by the Lakers, who are reportedly considering JJ Redick, LeBron’s podcast co-host, for head coaching.