Lakers Take Bronny James In Second Round Of NBA Draft

The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James, son of LeBron James, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft with the 55th overall pick. The duo will be the first father and son to appear in the league at the same time.

James was one of the notable players who went undrafted in the first round Wednesday night, but many suspected that Los Angeles would take the USC product in the second round Thursday. Last summer, James suffered cardiac arrest as a result of a heart defect, delaying his college debut. He appeared for the Trojans in December and scored 4.8 points per game over the course of the season.

Because of his limited college experience, many have accused the 19-year-old Akron native of benefitting from nepotism. But in ESPN’s draft coverage, analyst and reporter Adrian Wojnarowski emphatically dismissed such claims.

“I don’t want to hear the charges, people talking about nepotism. The NBA is full of nepotism. The ownership level, front offices, coaching. I don’t want to hear about it all of a sudden because Bronny James’ father plays for the Lakers. It is rampant in this league.”

As a prospect, James’ limitations are obvious. He’s incredibly green, isn’t tall by NBA standards and didn’t show much in his time on a weak USC team. As a bartering chip for the Lakers to coax his father, currently in free agency, into re-signing with the team, however, James appears to be extremely valuable.

Because of the teenaged prospect’s importance in other negotiations, James is in a uniquely strange position. While it was arguably easier for him to get drafted into the NBA, it may be significantly harder for him to be respected as his own player.

While most prospects get several years to discover an identity before they enter the league, James will be thrust into very deep waters and learn on the fly. A brief consolation — there will likely be a pretty strong hand in his corner.