LeBron James remains among the best players in the NBA, even at nearly 40 years old. The Los Angeles Lakers want to believe they are title favorites, and they have both LeBron and Anthony Davis so you can’t completely rule it out. But in 2024-25, the it’s the Timberwolves who are expected to have the better team this season.

A big part of the difference between squads is bench depth. The Wolves are so deep, they have legit rotation players who won’t see the floor. For the Lakers, they have Lebron James’ son, Bronny James.

Bronny James will play tonight vs Minnesota Timberwolves

It has been a terribly kept secret for some time that LeBron wanted to play in the NBA with his son, who scuffled through a freshman season at USC that began with a cardiac arrest incident that nearly cost him his life. Nonetheless, the Lakers spent a 2nd round draft pick on Bronny, not because of his dad… they claimed.

On Tuesday night, also not because of his dad, surely, ESPN’s new NBA insider Shams Charania reports that Bronny will get playing time tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers, next to his father. Nepotism history in the making.

“I’m told it’s very likely, and the Lakers plan that LeBron James, Bronny James make history as the first father-son duo to be on the court at the same time, and likely to come early in the game as long as it’s competitive and it’s a flowing game as far as where the Lakers are at early on in that game. I think that’s going to be very important. The Lakers want to allow this to happen during the flow of the game in a competitive environment. JJ Redick said on Monday that here is no plan finalized yet for both of them to play together on opening night, but this is something the Lakers have spent a lot of time discussing internally. It’s never happened in the NBA before, may never, likely never happen again. You think about LeBron James in Year 22, he’s really spoken this into existence. He’s been talking about it for the last several years and now it is on the cusp of happening as soon as tonight.”

Shams Charania on LeBron and Bronny James being on the court together (Sportscenter)

This has been a collision course coming down the tracks for quite some time. Bronny was never drafted to go to the G League, and LeBron stayed in Los Angeles to ensure he played with his oldest son. Does Bronny deserve that playing time. Probably not.

The younger James has struggled mightily during preseason action, averaging just 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game, to go with 1.2 turnovers. This preseason, the Lakers were -10 in point differential, with Bronny James on the court.

Related: Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Makes Top 10 Debut in NBA Rankings

Shams is not the only insider suggesting that Bronny will make his NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is hearing the same things and put a timeframe on the action as well.

“I would expect, as long as the game is going okay, be in your seat at the start of the 2nd quarter.”

— Brian Windhorst hints at Bronny playing tonight 👀

(h/t @ClutchPoints) pic.twitter.com/NNKUoX9Hcx

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 22, 2024

All of the theatrics and moments will be shining on the Lakers, once action gets underway on Tuesday night. Of course, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in LA tonight to rain on the nepotism parade. Anthony Edwards is a real contender to win MVP and he’s going to want to cement himself into that conversation on national TV, opening night, with all eyes on LeBron and Bronny.

Related: Justin Jefferson + Anthony Edwards Throwback Reshoot Photos are Finally Here

Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all played 10 minutes each. Joe Ingles played 11 and even Mike Conley got in 8 first half minutes, before the Wolves’ 37-year-old leader called it a night. Most of the minutes went to Josh Minott (29), Luka Garza (22), rookie – Terrence Shannon Jr (27) and rookie – Rob Dillingham (25).

Minnesota Timberwolves dominate Los Angeles Lakers in preseason opener

From start to finish, this was mostly a Minnesota Timberwolves beatdown of the LA Lakers, who didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis playing. The Wolves top unit jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter, and passed that off to a 2nd unit that almost buried LA before this contest even got to halftime.

PERFECT 🤌 pic.twitter.com/lycwHo4WK1

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024

With 10:09 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Minnesota took a 46-25 lead on a Josh Minott 3-pointer, making it feel like the night might get way out of hand. It didn’t. The Lakers made a comeback late in the 2nd quarter, and into the 3rd, even cutting the Wolves lead to two points (82-80), with 3:12 remaining in the period.

The Minnesota Timberwolves then got their flow back, thanks to rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr, along with 3rd year former 2nd round pick, Josh Minott, who showed off a lot of skill and rare size to go with it (see below). When the dust settled in Palm Springs, the Timberwolves walked away exhibition victors, 124-107.

But who cares about preseason scores or results. Let’s talk about what we really learned about the Wolves in their preseason opener.

Lesson 1. Donte DiVincenzo might be the biggest key in KAT trade

I am not making this a key, just to be hyperbolic. Night in, and night out, casuals who watch the Minnesota Timberwolves play — and those who just check box scores or watch highlight clips — are going to see Julius Randle.

The guy’s a walking double/double who can get his own shot and act as a secondary takeover option on a nightly basis. If there is too much defensive focus on Anthony Edwards or if he isn’t available, for whatever reason, Julius Randle will be Minnesota’s go-to guy for offense.

Related: Timberwolves Get More (Familiar) Talent Back in KAT Trade

But it took one half of exhibition basketball for Donte DiVincenzo to display exactly why President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly demanded he be part of the return package for KAT. DiVincenzo started, in place of Anthony Edwards.

The brand new 27-year-old Wolf went 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from deep, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, in his 10 first half minutes. He showed a level of playmaking ability that most Wolves fans will be surprised by, and even in the preseason, brought a tenacity and IQ on defense that you could see just watching on TV.

do your thing, Donte. 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/EjGtcv97sR

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024

OK WE SEE YOU DONTE 🫣 pic.twitter.com/wXZXqoVD62

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves desperately needed competent guard depth during the offseason. Drafting Rob Dillingham was a good start and sets the franchise up in the future.

To be a legitimate title contender, though, the Wolves needed a really good guard off the bench who can play lockdown defense, handle the ball and score in multiple ways. I’m not sure Tim Connelly could have found a better player to insert into that role than DiVincenzo.

Lesson 2: Josh Minott might be taking the next step for Minnesota Timberwolves

There were a few Minnesota Timberwolves players who stuck out on Friday night, in a way that others didn’t. Luka Garza was his normal productive self (7/13, 20 PTS, 9 REB, 1 STL, 1 AST), but he did not look like the dominant force we often see when he goes up against 3rd tier NBA talent.

Part of that was due to the talent on display all around him, including out on the perimeter, with Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr (more on them momentarily). But also, right next to him. 6’8″ 2022 2nd round pick Josh Minott, out of Memphis, was in his bag last night.

Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse

He was hitting from deep, driving to the hole, elevating to the rim from multiple different angles and blocking shots from the inside and outside on defense. He finished 9-of-11 for 22 points, which led the team. His only two misses were three-pointers… but he made four others, finishing 4-of-6 from downtown. He also added 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

WHY NOT MINOTT pic.twitter.com/GuQh4Jfhjr

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024

THROW IT DOWN, JOSH 😤 pic.twitter.com/nJ8sNMdSCL

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 5, 2024

Every time the Lakers charged back, Minott would drive through the lane with a monstrous dunk or drop a 3-pointer to halt all of LA’s momentum. We knew Minott’s development was going well, but he showed a level to his game on Friday night that most Minnesota Timberwolves fans didn’t know existed.

Lesson 3: Rob Dillingham is going to be a stud and should contribute immediately

I would imagine their playing time will fluctuate, depending on how they are playing at certain points throughout the grueling NBA season. But there is no doubt that 2024 No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham and No. 27 pick, Terrence Shannon Jr are good enough to help the Wolves now.

• Rob Dillingham vs Lakers: 25 Min | 9/20 FG | 3/6 3PT | 21 PTS | 4 AST | 1 REB | +10 +/-

No doubt, Rob Dillingham is streaky, and he will have some growing pains to work though. He’s noticeably shorter than everyone else on the floor and he isn’t an elite defender, by any means. But this dude’s playmaking ability is next level and something that I am not sure we have seen on the Minnesota Timberwolves since Stephon Marbury.

Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

Seriously, the Kentucky product is so quick-twitch, he’s usually gone before the defender can even react. That gives him an innate ability to get wherever he wants to go on the basketball floor, pretty much whenever he wants to get there.

8th overall pick Rob Dillingham came ready to play in his #NBAPreseason debut!

21 PTS
4 AST
3 3PM pic.twitter.com/4hQgKvSiAj

— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2024

Despite multiple efforts, many teams throughout the NBA have been denied the ability to put Bronny through a proper workout. His agency has only allowed him to work out for the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns thus far.

According to Draft Express’s Jonathan Givony, the Timberwolves are one of five teams interested in selecting Bronny… but there are complications.

Rich Paul says in addition to the Lakers and Suns, there are three other teams showing interest in Bronny James:

-Minnesota at 37, "but I don't know who their owner will be"
-Dallas at 58, "Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny"
-Toronto at 31 "Masai loves Bronny" https://t.co/uQIOHV6o43

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 19, 2024

While James is nowhere near the basketball prospect that his father was, he has generated a strong amount of hype for a player who started just six of 25 games for the USC Trojans.

Related: “Well-Positioned NBA Source” Confident Glen Taylor Will Win Timberwolves Ownership Battle

Then again, Zach LaVine started just one game in his UCLA Bruins career, and the former Flip Saunders draft pick still became a two-time All-Star. As for Bronny, he’s viewed as a second-round prospect.

Minnesota Timberwolves would love to draft Bronny James, but…

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, that fits perfectly, considering their two draft selections come at 27 and 37, when the NBA Draft starts next Wednesday.

KSTP insider Darren Wolfson can attest to the Timberwolves’ “definite” interest in Bronny. Unfortunately, he makes it very clear that there’s no chance Bronny will actually be drafted by the Wolves, let alone agree to a private workout.

Why? Because Bronny James doesn’t want to play in Minnesota. Or, as Wolfson put it so eloquently, the Timberwolves “aren’t in his plans”.

Definite #Timberwolves interest. Also a darn near lock that Bronny isn’t landing here and not working out here. Also told whether it’s Glen or Marc + Alex, ownership doesn’t matter. #WolvesBack https://t.co/iqlxueSJLw

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 19, 2024

Minnesota isn’t in his plans. Wolves understand, wouldn’t burn a bridge when liking plenty of other prospects.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 19, 2024

Well, that was fun while it lasted.

While Bronny may be a tantalizing prospect, as the son of a basketball icon, and he’s still considered very raw as a 19-year-old athlete. In all reality, the Timberwolves could probably get better production from other players on their radar, especially in the short term.

You would have thought Target Center was holding a Timberwolves playoff game tonight (lol) or maybe a massive concert for some well-paid superstar, who’s selling millions of records on iTunes. Lines traveled the length of every wall as kids and adults alike, waited to get the best seat possible to watch a… high school basketball game.

But, when Lebron James’ kid comes to Target Center next to a star-studded cast of future NBA hopefuls, weird things happen. When Minnehaha Academy took the Target Center floor tonight, to face off against Sierra Canyon of California, the hardwood was packed with names that we’ll see playing at blue-blood colleges around the country over the next handful of years.

Minnesota. The state of basketball. #ClashofChampions pic.twitter.com/r1Md8t8TYc

— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) January 5, 2020

The crowd was a sight for sore Timberwolves’ fan eyes. In an arena that’s struggled to fill the lower bowl for 15 seasons, it was impossible to think two high school teams could nearly pack the place from wood floor to the painted concrete 100’s of feet above… but that’s exactly what happened. Target Center was the place to be in the Twin Cities on Saturday night.

Nobody left disappointed, either. Minnehaha played one of their best games of the season when lights were the brightest.

Can't decide if it's more fun to watch Chet's block or Jalen's finish?@ChetHolmgren @JalenSuggs2020 @RedhawksAD @ChipotleTweets #ChipotleClashofChampions #UnitedWeZag pic.twitter.com/Sxtedo8rJ5

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) January 5, 2020

Gonzaga doesn't have a football team but Jalen could be a D1 QB…?@JalenSuggs2020 @RedhawksAD #UnitedWeZag #ChipotleClashofChampions @ChipotleTweets pic.twitter.com/rQm9kQQuHk

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) January 5, 2020

CHET'S NOT SLOWING DOWN☠️@ChetHolmgren @RedhawksAD @ChipotleTweets #ChipotleClashofChampions pic.twitter.com/vfHIP5vdJA

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) January 5, 2020

Minnehaha actually took down a stacked Sierra Canyon team that rosters enough 5-star talent to make Duke jealous.

Chet Holmgren was an absolute force down low defensively. He made Sierra Canyon think twice before going down low for the entire game… or at least he should have made them think twice… They clearly never learned their lesson. Chet finished the game with 12 blocks. Yeah, 12 blocks. He finished with 10 rebounds and 7 points to go with it.

Suggs was even more dominant. He went off for 23 points and 12 rebounds. Defensively, he was a handful too, racking up 5 steals to go with his big game, offensively.

In limited playing time, Bronny James finished with just 5 points and 1 rebound. Remember, he’s a Freshman playing on a stacked prep school team out of California. His time will come for Sierra Canyon. Brandon Boston Jr, a 5-star commit to Kentucky, carried most of the load for the CA prep school, with 27 points and 8 boards to go with.

In a game that I thought might be a 20-point victory for Sierra Canyon, which only had 1 loss coming into this game, Minnehaha Academy flipped the script and pulled off a 20-point victory themselves. Impressive.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The main feature for Sierra Canyon isn’t their best player. He’s a freshman with the most famous basketball dad of all time… Lebron James Jr. Bronny James gets a decent amount of playing time on most nights but just like any freshman 15-year-old around the country, he’s inconsistent. Not only that, but he is surrounded by ballers. 

– Recruiting information via 247Sports.com

• Senior (#3) | BJ Boston | 5-Star (.9948) | Committed to Kentucky
• Senior (#23) | Ziaire Williams | 5-Star (.9984) | Committed to Gonzaga
• Soph (#10) | Amari Bailey | 5-Star (.9956) | Undecided
• Senior (#15) | Terren Frank | 4-Star (.9458) | Committed to TCU

So, Sierra Canyon is stacked with talent and they have only lost one game this season. It was earlier this week, when they went down vs another top high school team in the nation, Rancho Christian. But all of that talent certainly won’t go unmatched. Minnehaha Academy isn’t just the most talented team in Minnesota. They are comparable to any of these top teams around the country.

• Senior (#1) | Jalen Suggs | 5-Star (.9968) |Uncommitted
• Junior (#34) | Chet Holmgren | 5-Star (.9989) | Uncommitted
• Soph (#10) | Prince Aligbe | 4-Star (.9813) | Uncommitted

Minnehaha also employs Kaden Johnson, who’s a fine basketball player but even better football player. He is a 4-star in that sport and already committed to play at Wisconsin next year.

This matchup on Saturday night is part of a larger tournament, “The Redhawk Basketball Showcase“, that starts on Friday night at the Minnehaha Academy High School, where both of the teams from Saturday’s matchup will play the other two teams involved, Park Center and The Patrick School.

With all of the excitement surrounding this game, I am happy to say that Minnesota Sports Fan will be there to cover it as credentialed media. Our new high school writer, Ryan Schmidt (@streethistory on Twitter) and I will be both be attending the game, in that fashion! So, become a member to MinnesotaSportsFan.com right below this article and follow both Ryan and myself on Twitter so you don’t miss a moment!

The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan