Bronny James was the 55th pick in the NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, his father's team, a couple of weeks ago.
Scouts weren't kind to Bronny during the pre-draft process, with at least one saying he was “not an NBA prospect” after he scored fewer than five points per game in his lone season at USC. Bronny's cardiac arrest last summer didn't help.
On the one hand, history will be made the first time they share the court together. LeBron and Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.
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Bronny James Jr. of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a 2024 California Classic Summer League game at Chase Center on July 6, 2024, in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
There has been much talk about nepotism, with one former NBA veteran calling it an “abuse of power” by the NBA's all-time leading scorer, especially considering Bronny got a four-year guaranteed contract worth nearly $8 million.
“For those who don't know… Late second round picks have no guarantees (especially before summer league),” Steven Hunter wrote on social media, via OutKick.
“Second-round picks typically don't get four-year guaranteed roster deals either. They haven't earned this, I'm sorry… And it's a blatant abuse of power by LBJ. [LeBron James] & Rich Paul. It's a slap in the face to all the young guys trying to make it to the league. It's Hollywood nonsense like this that turns a lot of people off of Lebron. …
LeBron James, left, of the Los Angeles Lakers, yells to his son, Bronny James (6) of the USC Trojans during Bronny's game against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion on February 7, 2024, in Berkeley, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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“This is just another example of what they are saying when you try to get them to like you. This is why most people prefer [Michael Jordan] or Kobe [Bryant] on him because you know at least MJ or Kobe will be straight shooters… Believe me, MJ could have gotten one of his kids in the league if he chose to abuse his power like that…
“I'm not taking any credit away from Bronny or being mad at him… I just want them to know that this is a manipulation of our league and the integrity of what it truly takes to get there.”
Bronny was invited to at least 10 pre-draft workouts, but only attended two with the Lakers and Suns. Paul said that was “intentional.”
Bronny James and Bryce James present LeBron James with the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance onstage during the 2023 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
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James scored four points on 2-of-9 shooting in his NBA Summer League debut.
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