On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers made a historic selection, drafting LeBron James' eldest son, Bronny, with the 55th pick of the NBA draft. It was a move that brought LeBron's vision of sharing the court with his son a little closer to reality. Since 2018, LeBron has called the Lakers home, and now, potentially, his son could join him in pursuit of championship glory.
The intrigue surrounding this draft pick was amplified by the fact that LeBron himself is poised to become a free agent next week, potentially leaving the Lakers and rewriting his legacy elsewhere. "The NBA has never seen a father and son share the same court, and that prospect is truly magical," said Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka. "We understand LeBron has a choice to make, but if he remains with us, we could make history."
The draft doesn't guarantee that the James father-son duo will ever share a game, nor does it lock in Bronny's spot on the Lakers' roster next season. However, it opens the door to a potential NBA first — a father and son playing side by side. While over 100 players have followed their fathers into the NBA, none have done so while their fathers were still active. LeBron's remarkable longevity, entering his 22nd season, makes this possibility a reality.
"With the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Bronny James from the University of Southern California," announced NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, making the moment official for the 19-year-old. Bronny, a guard, stands at just 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches, making him one of the shortest players in the league. But his athleticism and defensive prowess gave him this opportunity.
Critics may argue nepotism, but Pelinka insists the Lakers saw Bronny's potential and character. They reached out to his agent, Rich Paul, and welcomed him to the Lakers family, emphasizing that his selection was based on his hard work and character.
Bronny played one season at USC, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Last year, he underwent a procedure to fix a congenital heart defect, missing the start of the season. But he was cleared by doctors to play, and Nike wasted no time in congratulating him with a new ad, heralding his arrival on the big stage.
The 55th pick is rarely a headline-grabber, but in this case, it captured the imagination of basketball fans worldwide. The best 55th pick in history is Patty Mills, who has scored over 7,800 points in his career. But none have reached All-Star status. Now, with Bronny James, the Lakers have the potential to create a new chapter in NBA history. "The biggest moments in sports happen with the Lakers," said Pelinka, "and we're excited to see this story unfold."
