NBA teams should not draft Bronny James on the assumption that doing so would also attract LeBron James as a free agent.
Front offices could contact representatives for LeBron, Bronny James or the Los Angeles Lakers star in the weeks leading up to the June 26-27 NBA Draft to ask whether selecting Bronny would mean the senior James would also join that team could join. However, LeBron’s answer to this would be, “No, from now on,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The “as of now” part of that answer could give teams enough leeway to consider creating a situation that would appeal to LeBron. And some clubs have already expressed interest in drafting Bronny in the second round following his performance at this week’s NBA Draft Combine.
However, the Lakers plan to re-sign LeBron, who has a player option for the 2024-2025 season worth $51.4 million, and meet any demands he has. And all indications are that the four-time NBA MVP plans to stay in Los Angeles, especially if the Lakers add a head coach he likes and trade for another star to play with him and Anthony Davis.
This season, the Lakers finished No. 8 in the Western Conference before defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA play-in tournament. They were eliminated from the playoffs in five games by defending champion Denver Nuggets.
In the past, James has said he wants to play his final NBA season with his son and would sign with the team that drafted Bronny. Lately, however, he has scaled back that stance, admitting that playing together is his dream, but not necessarily what his son wants. After the Lakers’ season ended, he said playing for Bronny is no longer a priority for him.
Bronny told reporters at the draft combine that he didn’t want to be known just as LeBron James’ son. He wants people to judge him on his own merits and individual skills.
“Everything that follows my dad, people just try to connect me to that and all the greatness that he’s accomplished, but I haven’t done anything yet,” Bronny said. “So there must be a rift between Bronny and LeBron. I just want people to know that my name is Bronny James and not identified as LeBron James’ son.”
In his lone season at USC, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games. He missed the first half of the season after going into cardiac arrest during practice and undergoing heart surgery, but was cleared to join the Trojans for the rest of their campaign.
Bronny was medically cleared to participate in activities at the draft combine, where he impressed observers with his athleticism and shooting ability, and performed well in scrimmages.
Any question about father and son playing together could easily be answered if Bronny is available with the Lakers’ second-round pick at No. 55. That could be one of the draft’s biggest storylines on night two, especially if Los Angeles has to move. to select LeBron’s son.
