LeBron James has never hidden how much it meant to share an NBA court with his eldest son Bronny, a milestone that turned into one of the most anticipated family moments in league history.
The idea of repeating that achievement with his second son, Bryce, seemed possible once the eighteen-year-old committed to Arizona, lining up a potential entry into the 2026 NBA Draft.
But that path now appears far less predictable after new comments from Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd introduced the possibility of a delay that could shift Bryce’s entire timeline.
“Redshirting is on the table,” SportsCenter NEXT quoted Lloyd as saying. “I want Bryce to have the best college basketball career, the most options in his college basketball career.”
That line immediately sparked debate, not only in Tucson but across the larger basketball world. According to Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today, the redshirt being discussed is a non-medical redshirt season, meaning Bryce would be healthy but would sit out competition for a year.
Such a move typically helps players who need time to adjust physically, learn a system, or improve skills away from the pressure of games. For Bryce, it could also be a way to secure more meaningful minutes and a larger role when he eventually takes the floor for Arizona.
A redshirt season could push Bryce’s NBA entry and test LeBron’s longevity
The consequence of that choice would ripple far beyond the college program. A redshirt year would almost certainly push Bryce’s NBA Draft timeline back by at least one season.
Instead of entering the league in 2026 as originally projected, he could realistically be looking at the 2027 or even 2028 draft cycle depending on how long he stays in college. For most prospects, that development path would be viewed as helpful and responsible. For Bryce, it carries an entirely different weight because of his father.
LeBron, now preparing for his twenty third NBA season, has repeatedly said he hopes to stay in the league long enough to play with both of his sons if the opportunity exists.
It is a goal that has shaped public perception of his late career choices and could influence the timeline of his retirement.
But the possibility of Bryce redshirting introduces a complication that even one of the greatest players ever may not be able to control.
Read the full article here
