LeBron James favorite David Fizdale re-signs with Suns as an assistant coach amid rumors Phoenix hopes to lure four-time MVP by drafting son Bronny

The Phoenix Suns have re-signed assistant coach and LeBron James favorite David Fizdale in another sign that the team could be attempting to lure the four-time MVP from the rival Los Angeles Lakers. Fizdale's future was unclear after head coach Frank Vogel's dismissal in Phoenix, but he's now preparing to stay with the club under incoming head coach, Mike Budenholzer. 

The 39-year-old James is widely expected to opt out of the final year and $51 million on his deal. And while he could still return to LA, the Suns have several attractive selling points.

In addition to Fizdale, who worked with James under Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra in Miami, the Suns are reportedly considering drafting LeBron's 19-year-old son Bronny with the No. 22 pick in next month's NBA Draft. James has previously stated his desire to play alongside Bronny, who has decided to remain in the draft rather than returning to USC or transferring to another school.

'The Suns are hoping to pursue LeBron James this offseason, which is why Bronny James is a very serious draft option at No. 22 overall to potentially lure him in,' NBA Insider Evan Sidery wrote on X. 'Phoenix appears to believe they can convince LeBron to join forces with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to create a historic superteam.'

That report bolsters another by The Athletic's Shams Charania, who told the Run It Back FanDuel TV show that Bronny plans to work out for the Suns, in addition to the Lakers.

James has several connections with the Suns.    

In addition to Fizdale, whom James has affectionately referred to as a 'great coach' and 'great communicator,' the Suns' front office is led by his former Heat and Cavaliers teammate, James Jones.

Furthermore, James has also played with Booker and Durant on Team USA, giving him some familiarity with the Suns' high-scoring offense.

Even James' agent, Rich Paul, has connections to the Suns in the former of another client, Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic.

But before James can start house hunting in Maricopa County, it's worth noting that he would have to surrender around $50 million by opting out of his deal and signing in Phoenix on a veteran's minimum contract.

Of course, James is already a reported billionaire, so another $50 million might be a small price to pay for the chance of playing alongside Bronny on a title contender.

'LeBron would be sacrificing almost $50 million next season if he were to legitimately consider joining the Suns on a veteran's minimum contract,' Sidery wrote. 'Could the Suns really be plotting LeBron and Bronny as their big plan? It certainly seems that's on the table.'

Phoenix and Los Angeles finished in sixth and seventh place, respectively, in the Western Conference this season. Both teams suffered first-round defeats and are currently looking to retool for a title push in 2024-25.

LeBron's ultimately landing spot could be determined by which team drafts Bronny, who Charania reports is likely to be taken in the late first or early second round.

Bronny's single season of college basketball turned out to be a major letdown after the McDonald's All-American suffered cardiac arrest while practicing in July of 2023.

He was cleared to return to the court, but averaged only 19.4 minutes over 25 games for the Trojans, while scoring just 4.8 points per outing.

There remains a chance that Bronny is drafted by the Lakers, who are rumored to be considering LeBron's podcast co-host, JJ Redick, for their head-coaching vacancy.