LeBron James and his son are not a priority in the NBA

After being eliminated from the NBA playoffs in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers face a crucial and uncertain offseason.

There are several big stones that impact how things will turn out for them, but the biggest one by far is what happens with LeBron James. He has a player option for next season that he can decline to become a free agent this summer, and many expect him to do just that.

There has been a lot of talk, fueled by James himself, that he wants to play on the same NBA team as his son Bronny James. The younger James has qualified for the draft in June and there has been speculation that his father could use that as leverage to pick his next team.

But according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the pair's collaboration is no longer a priority (as of 2:25).

“From my conversations with Rich Paul, who obviously represents LeBron James but will also represent Bronny James, the idea of ​​them playing together is not a priority. At least for LeBron James, it's no longer a priority. Rich Paul's goal here in the pre-draft process for Bronny James is to find out if there is the right development system, the right organization and a place that can accommodate a young player like Bronny James who won't be there for five months after his heart attack has played, although there is limited certainty in his season at USC.”

The younger James struggled this season as a freshman at the University of Southern California. There's a feeling he's not ready for the NBA yet, and he's also entered the transfer portal, which gives him the option to stay in college but play for another program if he wishes.

The Lakers will have the No. 17 pick this year if the New Orleans Pelicans take their first-rounder next year instead of this year, per the terms of the 2019 Anthony Davis trade. They will also have the No. 55 pick. Wojnarowski said LA won't use its first-rounder, if it has one this year, over the younger James and he could be off the board before No. 55 is selected.

The journalist also provided some news that will be music to the hearts of Lakers fans, or at least those who want the elder James to stick around.

“We all know, in all likelihood, that he’s back with the Lakers,” Wojnarowski said of James. “It will just depend on what the deal is – two years, three years, maybe after he exits.”

The 39-year-old has until June 29 to decide whether he will actually opt out of his contract and become a free agent once the new league year begins shortly thereafter.