Several Los Angeles Lakers players were in attendance for Luka Doncic’s press conference announcing his new extension with the franchise.
Most of the Lakers roster here supporting Luka as he announces his new max contract. pic.twitter.com/Ihdqa4p9HB
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) August 2, 2025
However, LeBron James and Bronny James were not present, although the elder James reportedly congratulated Doncic with a FaceTime call.
REPORT: LeBron James FaceTimed Luka Doncic on Saturday morning to congratulate him on his extension with the Lakers, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/9Dm51ynmBB
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) August 3, 2025
Dan Patrick questioned why the younger James was not in attendance, saying that he should have been there for his teammate.
"Bronny James should've been there. You're the last guy on the roster, you should be there."
– DP reacts to the notable omission of LeBron and his son Bronny from Luka Dončić's press conference for his new contract extension. pic.twitter.com/v8kljEdDcT
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 4, 2025
“The one person who I thought should have been there was his son,” Patrick said. “Bronny James, if he wants to stay longer after LeBron leaves, like that’s your teammate. That’s what was surprising. Bronny James should’ve been there. You’re the last guy on the roster, you should be there. Show support. It just felt like, ‘Hey, my dad’s LeBron, we got a vacation.’ I mean, that’s where you say, ‘Dad, that’s my team. That’s my teammate.’”
While Patrick is entitled to his opinion, it’s also worth noting that another key member of the Lakers, guard Austin Reaves, was unable to attend Doncic’s press conference due to a promotional tour for his signature shoe.
Since it is the offseason, players are going to have other commitments that could keep them away from an event like this, so it may be a little harsh to criticize the younger James for missing Doncic’s press conference.
As a rookie in the 2024-25 season, the younger James averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 31.3 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc. He spent a lot of time in the G League, but he did appear in 27 games for the Lakers during the regular season.
A second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the younger James is hoping to stay in the NBA long after his father eventually decides to retire from the league that he’s given over 20 years of his life. The elder James was drafted in 2003, yet he’s still one of the top players in the game despite being 40 years old.
The big news for the Lakers is that Doncic signed an extension that will keep him with the franchise for multiple seasons, and that should be more important than any player missing – or attending – the star’s press conference.
Hopefully, the younger James will be able to make an impact with the Lakers in the 2025-26 season after getting a season of professional experience under his belt.