Although Bronny James is set to begin his pro basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers‘ G-League affiliate, the expectation remains that at some point during the 2024/25 season, the Lakers will call up LeBron James‘ oldest son and make NBA history.

Assuming LeBron and Bronny share the court together next season, the Jameses will become the first father-son duo in the long history of the Association. And with that in mind, even though they are both professionals, LeBron will want to make sure his 19-year-old stays out of trouble and keeps his eyes on the prize.

Gilbert Arenas’ dire warning for LeBron

Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas — a one-time LeBron contemporary — has warned the four-time MVP that one misstep from Bronny could change everything. On the latest edition of his “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Arenas joked that LeBron is facing a reality that every parent faces sooner or later — he could, feasibly, be a grandfather in his 40s.

“He is one party night away from being grandpa,” Arenas said. “Like, he’s one road trip in Miami, he goes to sleep too early, ‘Hey, Pops, you’ve got a grandson.’”

“Skip Bayless, what he’s done to LeBron [James for 22 years]. He wouldn’t have had [a job]… There was no making a career off of Michael Jordan slander… When you heard [MJ's] name, it made you smile.”

Gilbert Arenas on why Bron will never be MJ 🤔pic.twitter.com/nWh3WGYEKV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 20, 2024

With Bronny coming in to some money — he signed a four-year contract worth up to $7.9 million after he was drafted — the former USC Trojan is set up for life better than the vast majority of Americans. Many NBA players become parents when they’re young –after all, LeBron and Savannah James welcomed Bronny into the world when LeBron was 19.

LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas going at it in the 2006 NBA Playoffs 🔥

People don’t realize how long LBJ has been doing this on the highest stage in hoops. It’s ridiculous. Also, Gil was so cold. pic.twitter.com/DkFGMFBe4i

— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) September 9, 2020

But LeBron was already a budding superstar with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, while Bronny is still trying to cut it at the NBA level and become a suitable role player, at least. It remains to be seen whether Bronny “ventures out” and adopts a partying lifestyle, now that he is worth millions — or whether LeBron will successfully impress discipline and resolve on him.