Bronny Becomes a Laker

The Lakers selected 19-year-old Bronny James with the 55^th overall pick in the second round of Thursday afternoon’s NBA Draft, rounding out a process that began on Wednesday evening with the selection of Dalton Knecht at No. 17.

“Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character,” said Lakers VP of Basketball Operations moments after the selection. “And second he is a young man that works incredibly hard. Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core with the Lakers. He had a great draft workout with us where he displayed those qualities to me in an hour lunch that we shared in the building just to get to know each other. It became clear that he was a man of character.”

James impressed the Lakers not just at his workout at the UCLA Health Training Center, but also at the NBA combine, where his athletic measurements and shooting stood out.

“In terms of his work ethic, I think we’ve all seen that lived out too,” Pelinka explained. “He’s not a person that is ever taken shortcuts or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities. He’s worked for everything he’s gotten, including being selected today at 55. It’s an honor for us to add him to our program. Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around him to increase his basketball skills and turn him into the player that we think can impact and help this franchise.” 

Of course, Bronny’s father is LeBron James, who – should he return to the Lakers – has the opportunity to join his son under truly unique and special circumstances. 

“In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court,” shared Pelinka. “That feels like something that could be magical. We know and have to respect of course that LeBron has a decision about his opt out ... Of course he has freedom to decide whatever is best for him and his family. But if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. 

“But more importantly than that is to talk about Bronny James as a basketball player because this is his day, and he was the one selected with the 55^th pick.” 

The Lakers view Bronny as a player with legitimate two-way upside, thanks to his combination of character, work ethic, athletic gifts and hoops IQ. 

“The road to ultimate victory in the NBA is with two-way players that can be great defenders and can be shot makers on offense,” explained Pelinka. “If you’re able to develop guys like that and surround your superstar players with them, that’s a good recipe for success. Bronny’s of that ilk. I think he’s going to be a point-of-attack defender that can really be disruptive with the way he guards other teams’ point guards. I think he can guard multiple positions. And we’ve really seen growth in shooting I think at the Combine when we were there with the scouting staff. He was one of the leaders in making some of his shots in some of the drills. We really think he can turn into being an elite shot maker. Just a 3-and-D player, for sure.”

In July of 2023, prior to his freshman year at USC, Bronny suffered a heart ailment during a practice session, but was able to make a full recovery, and impressively return to play for the Trojans in December, just after the Lakers won the In-Season Tournament. LeBron immediately returned from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to be there for the debut, with Pelinka also making sure to be at the game himself.

“The news broke that Bronny was going to have his first game at USC after everything that he had to endure and it was really important to just be there in the moment for that,” Pelinka recalled. “I think that’s what Lakers family is all about. And I think the emotions of it all, that’s when it really takes hold, in those moments when he got back on the court and was able to be healthy and play. That was special.”

Despite missing so much time as he recovered, Bronny was able to play in 25 games for the Trojans, averaging 19.3 minutes per game towards 4.8 points, 2.8 boards and 2.1 assists with 0.8 steals.

“I think he had a really strong defensive year at USC in terms of being that point-of-attack hound on the ball,” said Pelinka. “But maybe because of the significant amount of time he took off, the offensive flow wasn't what it could be. And so I think polishing that back up, getting him back in an offensive rhythm is going to really catapult him back into getting the trajectory of being that development player that we really look forward to having."

Now, Bronny will be able to devote himself full time to basketball, perhaps with his father by his side. 

“The biggest moment in sports happen with the Lakers,” Pelinka concluded. “That’s how we’re built and we’re excited to see this story unfold.”