The world of basketball witnessed a historic moment when LeBron James and his son Bronny stepped onto the court together for the Los Angeles Lakers. This event during the 2024-25 season opener marked them as the first father-son duo to play simultaneously in NBA history. Now, this incredible feat has inspired another superstar to dream of a similar legacy.
Jayson Tatum's Decade-Long Dream
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has openly expressed his desire to one day share the NBA hardwood with his son. Currently 27, Tatum is sidelined for the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury. However, during a recent conversation with the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus, he laid out his ambitious vision.
"He turned 8, I’m 27, it’s like, damn, can I play 10 more years? I can easily do that," Tatum said, referring to his son, Jayson "Deuce" Tatum Jr. "So if it works out it would be cool." This plan hinges on Tatum maintaining his elite level for another decade, potentially creating a second iconic father-son pairing in the league.
The Path of the Pioneers: LeBron and Bronny
The James family set the unprecedented benchmark. Bronny James was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, seamlessly joining his father's team. Their debut together was not just a personal milestone but a landmark event in the history of the league. This achievement has clearly resonated across the NBA, planting seeds of possibility in the minds of other player-fathers.
Can Tatum and Deuce Make History?
The timeline is challenging but mathematically plausible. Deuce was born in 2017, the same year his father entered the NBA. For them to play together, Jayson Tatum would need to extend his career into his late 30s, while Deuce would need to enter the league at the earliest eligible age, around 19 or 20. Tatum's confidence in his ability to play for 10 more years is the cornerstone of this dream.
While Tatum and Deuce's mother, Toriah Lachell, are no longer together, their son remains a central figure in Tatum's life and now, his professional aspirations. The Celtics star's ambition adds a compelling, long-term narrative to the NBA, showing how the league's legacy is increasingly viewed through a familial lens.
As LeBron and Bronny James continue to write their unique story in real-time, Jayson Tatum has charted a future goal that could see the Boston Celtics star creating his own chapter of basketball history alongside his son a decade from now.
