Getty
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are always a controversial team with stories outside of the on-court results impacting the league. Recent rumors of some drama in the relationship between Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and superstar LeBron James has followed the team for over a week now. One of the big topics was Buss allegedly feeling that LeBron wasn’t “grateful” enough for the franchise drafting his son Bronny James to play with him.
ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne shared the following to dispute that on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles:
“I don’t think LeBron asked the Lakers to draft Bronny. I don’t think he or Rich Paul actually said [anything]. I’m telling you they did it [draft Bronny on their own]. I think they did this because they thought LeBron would like that.”
Shelburne’s claim is that the Lakers acted on their own to select Bronny in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Everyone knew that LeBron had talked about a dream of playing with his son on the same NBA team, but he didn’t contact Lakers management to talk them into making the selection. Shelburne claims that the Lakers did this to appease LeBron via their own choosing.
Other Teams Almost Drafted Bronny James
The radio hosts next asked Shelburne if any other teams would have drafted Bronny, if the Lakers didn’t do it. One even later hinted that the Lakers could have let Bronny go undrafted and signed him as a free agent, like how many undrafted players from the draft get their chance in the NBA.
Shelburne named a couple of other teams as having real interest in Bronny if he was available to get in the second round. The Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks were the other teams confirmed to have some interest in Bronny before the Lakers drafted him.
No one knows for sure if they had a desire to draft Bronny to develop his talent or if they felt it would help them have a chance at adding LeBron to the roster down the line. The Lakers could have easily drafted Bronny to avoid this scenario even happening with other teams tempting LeBron.
Does Bronny James Impact LeBron’s Future?
The future of LeBron is up in the air with the Lakers planning to pay Austin Reaves big money and already extending Luka Doncic. Both LeBron and the Lakers may be looking to have a change once the iconic player enters free agency this upcoming offseason.
Trade rumors have seen Bronny involved in most offers that pundits pitch about LeBron going to another team. The Lakers may have drafted Bronny on their own accord, but it is clearly tied to LeBron being on the team with him.
Bronny’s NBA career will likely see him follow LeBron to the next step, if he does leave the Lakers, and must prove himself there. NBA teams will not be as forgiving on handing Bronny a roster spot once LeBron retires, unless he has a breakout run to validate getting consistent playing time.