O Los Angeles Lakers have selected Bronny James with pick #55 in 2024 NBA Draft. James is the eldest son of NBA legend Lebron James. The two will now become the first father-son duo to play at the NBA at the same time, and if LeBron decides to return to the Lakers with a new contract as a free agent or through his player option for next season, they will be teammates next season.
That’s the outcome James’ camp was apparently seeking all along. During ESPN’s second-round broadcast on Thursday, Bob Myers reported that Rich Paul, the father-son agent, was telling non-Lakers teams not to draft Bronny or he would go to Australia. That strategy apparently scared off the field and allowed him to land in Los Angeles.
Bronny was among the top prospects in his class for years before deciding to play college ball at USC, near where his father played for the Lakers. His only college season was derailed when he suffered a cardiac arrest during pre-season training. Although he recovered enough to play for the Trojans, he struggled in his lone season, averaging just 4.8 points and 36.6 percent shooting in a bit role.
His NBA projection isn’t based on what happened at USC, but rather a combination of his pedigree and what he was able to do at the minors. While he wasn’t blessed with his father’s size or once-in-a-generation athleticism, he’s a good overall athlete who plays the kind of high-IQ style you’d expect from LeBron’s son. His best trait is his defense at the point of attack, and although he is relatively small at just 6-foot-1, he is strong enough and has a long enough wingspan at 6-foot-1 to potentially protect larger players.
Defense can buy a player starting minutes, but if Bronny wants to stay in the NBA, he needs to improve as a shooter. He is not a highly utilized ball handler like his father. His path to a successful professional career will lie in the 3-and-D role, and after making just 26.7% of his long-range attempts at USC and struggling deeply throughout his entire amateur career, he has a path to go through. front.
For years, LeBron has talked about his desire to play with his son at the end of his NBA career. Technically, however, the two playing together on the Lakers next season is not a certainty. James could become a free agent this offseason through his player option, but given how hard Paul apparently pushed to bring the two together, it now seems more likely than ever that he would stay. However, Paul used this uncertainty as a smokescreen to help get Bronny to the Lakers.
“LeBron has abandoned the idea of having to play with Bronny,” said Paul told ESPN before the draft. “If he does, he does. But if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. There is no deal made that guarantees that if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he (LeBron) will re-sign. If that were the case, I would force them to take him at 17. We don’t need leverage. The Lakers can draft Bronny and LeBron won’t renew.”
If both members of the James family are Lakers next season, they would be the first father and son to play on the same team in any major North American professional sport since Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners in 1990.
Since the Lakers fired Darvin Ham as their head coach, they have been sending the message publicly that the team is prioritizing player development. New head coach JJ Redick echoed that sentiment in his introductory press conference on Monday. The Lakers have a strong track record when it comes to developing players who weren’t high draft picks. James can look to examples set by undrafted free agents. Alex Caruso It is Austin Reaves as well as low choices like Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr.. It is Ivica Zubac and know that the Lakers will be able to put him in the best possible position to succeed.
The Lakers have always considered themselves a family business. Dr. Jerry Buss has always kept his sons heavily involved in the team’s operations, and the Lakers are now run by his daughter, Jeanie. Now, that family-business approach will potentially be reflected on the court if LeBron decides to stay in Los Angeles. He’s always said he wants to play with his son. Now he’ll get the chance.
This article was originally published by CBS Sports on June 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET.
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