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Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, many saw it as nepotism. After all, he didn’t exactly light it up during his one season with USC, averaging 4.8 points per game and shooting just 36.7% from the field.
However, his dad is LeBron James, so it seemed pretty apparent to everyone but Nike and Lakers coach J.J. Reddick that his selection by Los Angeles in the draft was a favor to the team’s superstar.
After signing a $7.9 million, four-year contract, Bronny James played 27 games for the Lakers in his rookie season, averaging 2.3 points and 6.7 minutes per game. During his second season, Bronny averaged 2.9 points in an average of 8.9 minutes over 42 games.
Naturally, Bronny James’ father will always have his back, even if what he says to defend him seems to be utter nonsense.
Such was the case this week during an interview LeBron James gave Time magazine as part of their 2026 “100 most influential people in sports” list.
“Out of all the s— I’ve done in basketball, that’s the best accomplishment I’ve ever had,” LeBron James said about he and Bronny becoming the first father and son to assist each other on baskets.
LeBron James disputes claims that his son Bronny benefited from nepotism
As far as Bronny James getting his shot in the NBA due to nepotism, LeBron claims that had nothing to do with it.
“The kid has earned his right to be a professional athlete,” LeBron said. “The thing you’re not going to do is throw stones at us as a family. I’m not letting that sh— slide, because I know what I’ve created because of what I didn’t have.
“So if you want to talk about the kid, that he shouldn’t be an NBA player, I don’t care about that. As long as you don’t get to the fatherhood piece. I don’t play those games.”