Report: Lakers Met With Bronny James At NBA Draft Combine

According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Lakers met with Bronny James at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. 

The Lakers have the 17th and 55th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. 

“In terms of the draft, the Lakers seem like they’ll be the draft floor for Bronny James at pick 55, a player the team conducted an interview with in Chicago, according to sources not authorized to publicly discuss draft strategy,” Woike wrote. “James undeniably boosted his stock in Chicago with strong interviews, impressive athletic testing and strong play in a scrimmage on Wednesday, helping counteract the bad feelings after measuring 6 feet, 1 ½ inches in socks.”

Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks for USC this season while shooting 36.6% from the field, 26.7% from beyond the arc and 67.6% from the free-throw line. 

LeBron James is expected to re-sign with the Lakers this summer. Los Angeles is interested in drafting Bronny. 

No father has played with or against his son in the NBA. Bronny has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He has until May 29 to decide whether to stay in the draft or return to college.

“I would be happy about getting to the league instead of me thinking about playing with my dad,” Bronny said, via ESPN. “That’s not my mindset or not at all. I’m just trying to put in the work and see where it takes me from there.”

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. LeBron, who turns 40 in December, is still one of the best players in the NBA despite being the oldest player in the league. 

Along with the Lakers, Bronny has been linked to the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat. 

“My job is just to play a role and play the right way, make sure I get my teammates involved and stuff like that,” Bronny said. “But again, I was just super grateful for the opportunity to be out there. I felt like I should be out there.”