LeBron James moved a step nearer to fulfilling his dream of taking part in alongside considered one of 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 the direction of the tip 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 time exercise final July.
He was seen as a fringe second-round choose and was anticipated to hitch 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 whole picks. The Lakers additionally drafted Tennessee All-American Dalton Knecht with the seventeenth total choose.
In a press release, Lakers common 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 might be magical.”
The Lakers are ready for LeBron to resolve his plans for subsequent season. The deadline to train his participant choice with the Lakers is Saturday, with James anticipated to decide 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 call on his opt-out … but when it labored out that he was on our crew subsequent season, NBA historical past might be made. And NBA historical past ought to be made in a Lakers uniform.”
Lakers superstars endorsed the collection of Bronny. “He is superb defensively,” mentioned Anthony Davis. “He can learn the ground very properly. I feel he is a extremely good playmaker.
“I noticed him work out a pair instances. His reads, studying the defence, making the fitting passes, that was actually spectacular to me. I feel he’ll be fantastic. 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 recreation in 2023-24. His medical matter, modest manufacturing and peak – beneath six foot two – all complicate his draft grade.
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Bronny James says he would not take into consideration taking part in along with his dad LeBron James an excessive amount of, as soon as he will get drafted and desires to put in writing his personal ‘narrative’ within the NBA
However he shot very properly 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 are usually not planning to be a package deal deal.