Klutch Sports agent Rich Paul reportedly told teams that were interested in selecting Bronny James, that his client would have played in the Australian NBL league next season if he was drafted by them.
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"Rich Paul's calling teams and saying, 'Don't take Bronny James.'" NBA analyst Bob Myers said on ESPN Thursday, during the second round of the draft.
With that being said, many saw this as James forcing his way to be in LA with his father, LeBron James. According to ESPN, Bronny was projected as being drafted with the No. 55 pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, and needless to say, things went according to plan.
With the 55th pick, the Lakers select Bronny James. pic.twitter.com/QseLtHp4tx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 27, 2024
21 years after LeBron was taken with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, his eldest son Bronny has been selected in the 2024 Draft. That is to say, this is the first time ever that a father and son are sharing the court in the NBA.
LeBron James and Bronny James are now teammates. 🙏
(📸 @ThrowbackHoops) pic.twitter.com/SsA6GkJHRA
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 27, 2024
Some might remember it happening in baseball, when Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. both played two seasons together on the Seattle Mariners (1990-91).
Ever since LeBron hinted that this could actually happen, fans have anticipated the father-son duo playing together for many years, and it seems like it will take place during this upcoming 2024-25 NBA season.
Notably, LeBron opted out of his contract, which was set to pay him $51.4 million dollars this season, but now that the 39-year-old is an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers are preparing to offer him somewhere around a three-year, $160 million max contract, CBSSports.com.
When viewing James Jr.'s potential, he will look to make an impact at the next level as a 3-and-D type player, despite a somewhat underwhelming one-and-done season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points (36.6% FG; 26.7% 3PT), 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 19.4 minutes per game.
LeBron's aspiration of playing with his son has been downplayed in recent months, and some saw this as a bluff, in order to make teams not draft Bronny, as they would presumably hope that James Jr. and Sr. would be a packaged deal.
Ultimately, LeBron's true sentiments were expressed in a 2022 interview with The Athletic, stating that he wanted to retire playing alongside his first child.
"My last year will be played with my son," James said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
LeBron's dream has become a reality, as the 19-year-old and 39-year-old will now be counterparts, which also means the James duo becomes the first father-son NBA teammates.
To point out, this may never happen again throughout the course of time, considering that LeBron's longevity is unmatched.
Putting into perspective just how much LeBron has defied 'Father Time,' when Bronny was born (2004), at 19 years old, in his second year in the NBA, James Sr. had been averaging 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Then fast forward to this past season (2023-2024), at nearly 40 years old, LeBron averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer has played 21 seasons in the league, racking up 40,474 points and 11,009 assists (4th all-time). With this in mind, Bronny has big shoes to fill, but he is only focused on being the best he can be.
Undoubtedly, the kid from Akron/Cleveland will have great mentorship and support from his new teammate/dad to help alleviate some of the pressure.
"My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself and, of course, get to the NBA," Bronny said during the NBA Draft Combine. "I never thought about playing with my dad. But of course, he's brought it up a couple times."
LeBron, Bronny, and Bryce putting in that work 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BCbG9yChRH
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 25, 2024
Related: 2024 NBA Mock Draft Preview Of Top Picks Bronny James Hopes To Hear His Name Called
