It is well known that LeBron James wants to play alongside his son Bronny, assuming the latter makes his way into the NBA.
This desire has led many to speculate it will cause the elder James to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, possibly as early as next summer. That is when he can opt out of his contract and when the younger James will be eligible for the draft.
Could the Lakers somehow prevent the elder James from leaving by actually drafting his son themselves?
It is unknown if they will have a first-round pick next year. The New Orleans Pelicans will have the choice of their first-round pick in either 2024 or 2025 thanks to the Anthony Davis trade.
An NBA scout said if L.A. keeps its 2024 first-round pick, it will draft the younger James if possible (h/t Lakers Daily).
Via HoopsHype:
“I think Bronny will go in the draft because of who he is, and some team will really think LeBron will come if they draft him,” the scout told HoopsHype. “If the Lakers get a pick, they won’t pass on him. He’s a decent player. He’s better than some guys who may get picked ahead of him. He’s solid, not spectacular. He knows how to play. He can handle the ball well enough. If you leave him alone, he’ll drill a three. He reminds me of Austin Rivers as a player, and he’s stayed in the league for over a decade.”
A recent ESPN mock draft had the younger James going at No. 10 in the 2024 draft. He is supposed to begin his freshman year of college basketball at the University of Southern California, but his recent cardiac arrest episode has cast serious doubt on his entire basketball career.