2024 NBA Draft: Here’s why LA Lakers can’t sign Lebron’s son Bronny James…
Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, is seen as a lock to be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dan Woike reported for the Los Angeles Times.
The No. 55 pick held by the Lakers is “seen by league sources at Bronny’s floor,” Woike reported.
That is in part because the Lakers have already “conducted a prospect interview with Bronny,” according to Woike.
James’ father and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka were also seen attending the 2024 NBA Scouting Combine as James participated in a scrimmage.
James entered the 2024 NBA Draft after a delayed start to his freshman season at USC following cardiac arrest and resulting heart surgery last summer.
He came back to make his Trojans debut in December and went on to average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 appearances and six starts.
James, who also entered the NCAA transfer portal while declaring for the draft, is not among the 58 players listed in Jonathan Wasserman’s latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft for Bleacher Report.
His family connection could help put him on the board, even if James has expressed doubt that a team would consider drafting him solely due to gain a connection to the elder James.
According to Woike, several league executives “have discussed drafting Bronny James in the first round in an effort to lure his father to their team in free agency.”
That could raise James’ draft floor, especially because LeBron James could become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he chooses to turn down his $51.4 million player option for next season by June 29.
