LeBron James moved a step nearer to fulfilling his dream of enjoying alongside one in all his sons after the LA Lakers chosen 19-year-old Bronny within the NBA Draft on Thursday.
After going undrafted within the first spherical on Wednesday, the oldest son of the four-time NBA MVP was chosen fifty fifth total by the Lakers in direction of the top of the second spherical of the 2024 draft.
The Lakers’ choice creates the primary father-son duo in NBA historical past.
Bronny, a guard, performed 25 video games in school at Southern California after struggling cardiac arrest throughout a summer season exercise final July.
He was seen as a fringe second-round choose and was anticipated to affix his future Corridor of Fame father in Los Angeles, having had personal exercises with solely the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns earlier than the draft.
LeBron labored out with Bronny earlier on Wednesday earlier than they watched the primary spherical of the draft, which consisted of 30 complete picks. The Lakers additionally drafted Tennessee All-American Dalton Knecht with the seventeenth total choose.
In a press release, Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka mentioned: “Within the historical past of the NBA, there’s by no means been a father and a son which have shared an NBA basketball courtroom and that seems like one thing that could possibly be magical.”
The Lakers are ready for LeBron to determine his plans for subsequent season. The deadline to train his participant choice with the Lakers is Saturday, with James anticipated to choose out of the deal and enter free company earlier than signing a short-term deal for his twenty second season within the NBA.
Pelinka added: “We all know, and need to respect after all, that LeBron has a choice on his opt-out … but when it labored out that he was on our crew subsequent season, NBA historical past could possibly be made. And NBA historical past needs to be made in a Lakers uniform.”
Lakers superstars endorsed the choice of Bronny. “He is superb defensively,” mentioned Anthony Davis. “He can learn the ground very effectively. I feel he is a very good playmaker.
“I noticed him work out a pair occasions. His reads, studying the defence, making the suitable passes, that was actually spectacular to me. I feel he will be wonderful. Clearly, it is lots of strain on him along with his dad being who he’s.”
There have been questions on Bronny James’ readiness for the NBA after his cardiac episode and ensuing unspectacular season at USC. He averaged 4.8 factors per sport in 2023-24. His medical matter, modest manufacturing and peak – below six foot two – all complicate his draft grade.
However he shot very effectively in mix drills and posted a 40.5-inch vertical, indications there’s greater than genetics to his ability set.
Represented by Klutch Sports activities and Wealthy Paul like his father, the company made clear previous to the draft that Bronny James and LeBron James will not be planning to be a bundle deal.