The prospect of LeBron James playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA has been a topic of speculation and anticipation. LeBron has openly expressed his desire to share the court with his eldest son, but the specifics of this dream scenario remain uncertain.
Bronny James, currently in his first year of college basketball at USC, could potentially enter the NBA draft as early as next season. However, the Los Angeles Lakers face a critical decision that could influence both LeBron’s future and Bronny’s NBA journey.
ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski weighs in on the Lakers’ dilemma, pointing out the contrasting goals of the team.
“There’s two ways to look at that: trying to get him drafted by the Lakers or is there a situation for a young player going to a team that is more of a developmental team that develops players. The Lakers are not a developmental program; they are a win-now program,” Wojnarowski emphasized on NBA Today. The Lakers, focused on immediate success, might not align with the developmental needs of a young player like Bronny.
While LeBron has the option to exercise a player option in his contract next year, providing flexibility in his career choices, the decision on drafting Bronny could be more complex than a simple desire to play together. “What’s going to be best for Bronny James, what he wants, what they want as an organization,” Wojnarowski ponders.
“I don’t know if it’s just cut and dry is all of it is around the idea whether he can play with him or not. I’m not sure that’s all that’s at stake there. Maybe it’s a factor. But I do think for Bronny James, if he’s out this year, the idea what’s the best place for him too,” Wojnarowski said about how whether the Lakers draft Bronny or not could impact LeBron’s future with the team.
There are alternative paths for Bronny’s entry into the Lakers. Drafting him directly might not be the sole solution; trades or delaying Bronny’s NBA debut until LeBron completes his current contract are also considerations.
In an intriguing twist, a recent 2024 mock draft by Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report envisions Bronny as a second-round pick at No. 47 by the Lakers’ cross-town rivals, the Clippers (via the Cavaliers).
As the Lakers grapple with these decisions, their single, unprotected second-round draft pick in 2024 looms large, offering a potential avenue for shaping the team’s future.
The prospect of LeBron and Bronny James sharing the court remains uncertain, with the Lakers facing a balancing act between immediate success and the long-term development of a young talent.
