The Los Angeles Lakers made a sentimental splash in this year’s NBA Draft by selecting Dalton Knecht as the No. 17 overall pick. However, their second draft pick, Bronny James, sparked controversy. As the eldest son of NBA legend LeBron James, Bronny’s selection brought criticism directed at the young player and his father.
LeBron’s dream of playing alongside Bronny is no secret. The Lakers took a significant step toward making it a reality with their No. 55 overall pick. However, the decision wasn’t without competition, as ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne recently revealed an interesting twist involving the Golden State Warriors.
Shelburne said the Warriors considered taking Bronny with the No. 52 overall pick. Shelburne added that taking Bronny ahead of the Lakers might have been a strategic move to entice LeBron to join the Warriors as a free agent. However, later, to respect LeBron’s wish, the Warriors opted not to pick Bronny.
“Selecting him ahead of the Lakers, who held the 55th pick, would’ve been a shrewd move—perhaps even to entice James to sign there as a free agent. But ultimately, sources said, the Warriors opted to respect the wishes James had made clear and the Lakers signaled they would grant,” the report read.
Lakers Fall to Timberwolves Without LeBron James, Bronny James Takes the Stage
The Los Angeles Lakers’ new head coach, JJ Redick, recently unveiled the team’s starting five for the upcoming season. While LeBron James was included in the starting five, he did not take the court during their season opener game.
In LeBron’s absence, the Lakers began their season with a 124-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The focus, however, shifted to his son, Bronny James, who logged 16 minutes of playtime. Though Bronny contributed only two points, he made his presence felt with two blocks, a rebound, and an assist.
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Fans eagerly anticipated the moment when LeBron and Bronny would share the court. Unfortunately, the long-awaited father-son duo will have to wait for another game to make their historic debut.
Also Read: Which Was The Best Era In The NBA? Comparing Legends From Michael Jordan To All-Stars From LeBron James’ Era.
