NBA
Will LA Lakers select Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft?
LeBron’s eldest son has decided to make the leap as a professional for next year in the NBA
Bronny James has declared himself available for the 2024 NBA Draft, which is set to take place on 27 June. The freshman student will enter the NCAA transfer portal to maintain his college eligibility.
The USC Trojans’ guard will seek interviews with various NBA franchises and will make a draft decision based on evaluations. Bronny participated in 25 games, starting in six during his first season in NCAA basketball, averaging 19.4 minutes per game on the court. He has maintained averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists with a shooting efficiency of 36.6% from the field.
LeBron James’ eldest son missed the first eight games of the season due to a cardiac episode he suffered during summer workouts. The 19-year-old player was hospitalized for three days, and doctors from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, and Atlantic Health/Morristown Medical Center detected a congenital heart defect.
The odds that LA Lakers draft Bronny James
There are strong possibilities for Bronny to reunite with his father at Los Angeles Lakers, as rumours have intensified after it was revealed that the team will retain its first-round draft pick to go after Bronny. This selection was originally committed to the New Orleans Pelicans, as part of the deal in the Anthony Davis trade in July 2019. The Pelicans reportedly agreed to defer the deal for a 2025 selection.
LeBron has the option to remain with the Lakers for another year in exchange for $51.4 million or to opt for free agency.
According to betting odds, the Lakers remain the top favorites to select Bronny, with a line of +400, followed by the New York Knicks with a line of +800, the Miami Heat with a line of +1200, and the Cleveland Cavaliers also with a line of +1200.
The romantic idea of a father-son combo, and not just any given that LeBron is one of the biggest names ever to play in the NBA, is very attractive to many. Just think of the potential storylines that could be appearing over the coming season, potentially ending with the crown being handed over to the successor. Although, as Shakespeare once said, “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”