Bronny James, LeBron’s Teen Son, Picked By LA Lakers In NBA Draft
In a landmark event, Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, has been selected 55th overall by the Lakers in the second round of the NBA Draft.
This historic moment marks the first-ever father-son duo to potentially share an NBA court, fulfilling a long-held dream for LeBron James, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
A Dream Realized for LeBron James
LeBron, a 39-year-old Lakers playmaker and four-time NBA champion, has often spoken of his desire to play alongside his son.
“In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court,” said Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. “That feels like something that could be magical.”
As LeBron prepares for the US team at the Paris Olympics next month, Bronny is set to join the Lakers for NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas.
LeBron celebrated the draft with an Instagram post featuring photos of him and Bronny through the years, captioned simply, “LEGACY!!!!!!”
Bronny’s Path to the Lakers
Bronny, a guard for the University of Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season.
Despite a cardiac arrest incident last July due to a congenital heart defect, Bronny has shown resilience and determination, impressing scouts at an NBA combine and receiving medical clearance to continue his basketball career.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson expressed his excitement, stating, “Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers! This is a historic moment… Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!”
Potential and Development
Bronny is regarded as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game.
Lakers GM Pelinka emphasized the team’s commitment to developing Bronny, highlighting new Lakers coach JJ Redick’s enthusiasm in crafting a development plan to enhance Bronny’s basketball skills.
“It’s an honor for us to add him to our program,” Pelinka said. “Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around him to increase his basketball skills and turn him into a player we think can impact and help this franchise.”
LeBron’s Future with the Lakers
LeBron James faces a pivotal decision regarding his Lakers contract, with the option to opt into the final year or become a free agent. This decision could influence the historic opportunity for the James duo to play together in Lakers uniforms.
“We know and have to respect that LeBron has a decision about his opt-out, and I’m sure he and his family will decide what they are going to do there,” Pelinka said.
“If it worked out that he was on our team next season, history could be made — and NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”
Character and Work Ethic
The Lakers were deliberate in their selection of Bronny, valuing his character and work ethic over his famous lineage. Pelinka praised Bronny’s dedication, saying, “Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character, and second, he’s a young man that works incredibly hard.
Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core of the Lakers.”
ESPN reported that agent Rich Paul cautioned teams against picking Bronny, emphasizing his willingness to play abroad rather than join an undesirable team. The Phoenix Suns were the only other team to give Bronny a workout ahead of the draft.
“In terms of his work ethic, I think we’ve all seen that lived out too,” Pelinka added. “He’s not a person that has ever taken shortcuts, or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities.
He has worked for everything he has gotten, including being selected today at 55.”
For more updates on Bronny James and the Lakers, stay tuned and follow us on social media.
Source: NDTV
