• Bookies
  • NBA
  • NBA Picks
  • LeBron James Next Team Odds: Where Will King James Play In 2024-25?

LeBron James Next Team Odds: Where Will King James Play In 2024-25?

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com

Adam Thompson  | 

LeBron James Next Team Odds: Where Will King James Play In 2024-25?
Bookies Plus
WHY BOOKIES PLUS?
  • Daily expert picks delivered to your email (Over 60% NFL winning percentage!)
  • Opportunities to compete against pro handicappers + win prizes (Bragging Rights 😁)
  • Follow handicappers who are riding hot 🔥
  • Exclusive betting offers from top sportsbooks
  • It’s FREE and takes 30 seconds to sign up!

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Promo Code: BOOKIES1000

Visit site
Used 22 Times Today
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

For a while now, LeBron James has been open and honest about his desire to someday play alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA. That day isn’t as far off as it once was. 

Bronny has declared for the NBA after his freshman season at USC. He also entered the transfer portal, meaning he could remain in college for next year. 

It was considered a formality before last year that Bronny would enter the 2024 NBA Draft. There’s little coincidence that LeBron James owns a player option for the 2024-25 season. By forgoing the option, LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent – and join Bronny, with whichever team drafts his son. 

So which team will hit the James lottery in 2024-25? Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has updated his NBA futures odds as to where the James boys team up for 2024-25.

LeBron James & Bronny James Team Odds For 2024-25

Team Odds Implied Probability
Los Angeles Lakers +200 33.3%
San Antonio Spurs +500 16.7%
Philadelphia 76ers +500 16.7%
Oklahoma City Thunder +750 11.8%
Cleveland Cavaliers +1200 7.7%
Detroit Pistons +1200 7.7%
Chicago Bulls +1400 6.7%
Los Angeles Clippers +1500 6.3%
The Field +500 16.7%

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps. Odds don't always add up to 100% because they're based off a hypothetical sportsbook setting the line.

LeBron James Next Team Odds: Where Will King James Play In 2024-25? 1

Where Could LeBron & Bronny Play?

We know LeBron is serious about playing with Bronny - it's his stated plan. Projecting Bronny’s draft placement is a matter of opinion and conjecture at this point. Prior to his senior year of high school ball, Bronny James was projected to be a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

Some outlets now believe Bronny won't get drafted at all. The 6-foot-4 guard managed just 4.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg for a Trojans team that finished below .500 and out of the postseason. 

For most players, that isn't NBA Draft-worthy stats. But for LeBron James' kid, perhaps. LeBron says that Bronny "is his own man," but Bronny is unlikely to join the NBA if his dad isn't one of the all-time greats who vows to join him. 

Before this 2022-23 NBA season, LeBron signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Lakers that includes a player option for 2024-25. LeBron can now choose where he'll play when Bronny becomes draft eligible. Suddenly, a 2-for-1 draft pick that includes one of the greatest players of all time might be in play.

LeBron will be in his age 40 season when Bronny enters the NBA. Even in his advanced-for-NBA age, James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Most teams would do whatever it takes to add someone of LeBron's caliber – especially if money isn’t a sticking point.

It seemed like a formality LeBron would simply re-sign with the Lakers, either on a new deal or to play out his current one. But after a first-round flameout, perhaps the King is more open to the idea of a new home to wind down a Hall of Fame career. 

The Lakers have reportedly told LeBron they'll consider drafting Bronny. The NBA Draft is June 26-27. LeBron has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his player option. 

If LeBron is serious about playing for peanuts to suit up with Bronny, salary cap issues won't be a concern for most teams. There are only teams with enough projected practical cap space to pay LeBron what he's earning right now ($52.5M): the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers. The Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs aren't far off. 


RELATED: Who Is Most Likely to Play With LeBron James Next Season?


Of those teams, the Sixers, Thunder, and Spurs are likely the most enticing, in terms of being close to competing for a championship. The Pistons could use the marketing cache. 

There's also a chance Bronny enters the draft and doesn't get selected. That greatly heightens the Los Angeles Lakers' chances of adding him as a free agent. 

There's also the possibility that Bronny does, indeed, return to college for another season. That also gives a leg up to the Lakers but adds other teams into the mix, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, where LeBron started his NBA career and is near his hometown of Akron, and perhaps gets a bonus to the Spurs, who have Victor Wembanyama and cap space to work with. 

Other mid-market or re-tooling teams that don't get much love from a national perspective could also be inclined to create epic buzz, if only for one season. That group could be led by the Chicago Bulls, who are mired in mediocrity with massive contracts to stars. The big-market Bulls are rumored to be very interested in getting LeBron to play at an arena with a statue of Michael Jordan just outside. 

If we're being honest, however, expect politics and behind-the-scenes dealing to get some teams to move on. The James crew could pull an Eli Manning and flat out refuse to play for certain teams, forcing them to shy away at the draft. That could get them to a more-preferred destination such as either L.A. team or Cleveland. 

The L.A. Clippers badly wanted LeBron in his last free agency run and the move would make sense for the James’ family, who live and work in L.A. The Lakers and Clippers are both currently void of a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but both will likely try to move up if it means keeping LeBron (in the Lakers' case) or finally acquiring LeBron (for the Clippers).

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Visit site
Used 15 Times Today
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

About the Author

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com
Adam Thompson
Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.