Report: LeBron James ‘Got Very Emotional’ After Lakers Drafted Bronny

According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, LeBron James “got very emotional” after the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James. 

The Lakers took Bronny with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

“LeBron James got very emotional considering the weight of the moment.” ❤️ @mcten on LeBron’s reaction to Bronny being drafted at No. 55 👀 pic.twitter.com/KFWhRETNlJ

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024

Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest last year. He fully recovered and played for USC this past college season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 36.6% from the field, 26.7% from beyond the arc and 67.6% from the free-throw line.  

Bronny performed well in the second scrimmage in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine. He finished with 13 points in 23 minutes while shooting 4-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Bronny also crushed the 3-point star shooting drill at the NBA Draft combine, going 19/25 from deep. 

LeBron, who turns 40 next season, said on his podcast with JJ Redick that he’s “super proud” of how Bronny has handled “scrutiny” at such a young age. 

Bronny is only 19 years old. 

“I wouldn’t be able to handle the scrutiny and all the things that he got going on at his age, at his level, with social media,” LeBron said. “Like I didn’t have social media to deal with when I came in at 18. I did have a lot of scrutiny. I did have a lot of things that was put on my shoulders, but I didn’t have every single day, around-the-clock news coverage, sports shows, things talking about this particular person every single day.

“Or you go online or on social media and X and Instagram and everyone can comment, every single day, about whatever they wanna say. I didn’t have to deal with that. And to see him handle it with such class and just like self-awareness and just staying even-keeled is just a remarkable thing man. And super proud of him.”

LeBron is expected to decline his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers and sign a new deal. Los Angeles hired Redick as its new coach.