In recent days, information about Bronny James declaring his participation in the 2024 NBA Draft has stirred up experts across the entire league. Many predictions have been made about the team that Bronny James will join, in the context of his ability to convince scouts.
As for the Los Angeles Lakers, they will definitely be the team that wants to own Bronny James the most in the NBA. The biggest reason is because LeBron James once announced that he wanted to play with his son for a season, regardless of which team’s jersey.
The Lakers’ contract with LeBron James has a 1-year extension in the 2024/25 season, but the 39-year-old superstar has not activated this. However, the Los Angeles Lakers can completely retain LeBron James just by selecting Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In this article, The Sporting News will consider the Los Angeles Lakers’ opportunities to own Bronny James in this summer’s player draft.
Los Angeles Lakers Picks in 2024 NBA Draft
In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers do not have many options. The Lakers’ first-round pick is currently owned by the New Orleans Pelicans following the Anthony Davis trade in 2019.
However, there is a special provision in this Pick, when the New Orleans Pelicans can choose to switch to the 2025 NBA Draft. Looking at the fact that the 2024 player class does not have many outstanding names, the Pelicans can completely wait. come next summer and return the 1st round Pick of the 2024 NBA Draft to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers’ second round pick is owned by the San Antonio Spurs after a series of previous complicated exchange deals. However, the Lakers did not go empty-handed in round 2, as they still had the Los Angeles Clippers’ Pick.
Predict Bronny James’s ability to be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft
Before the 2023/24 season started, Bronny James was rated quite well. Some predictions even say that the eldest son of the James family can rise to the Picks from 25th to 30th place.
However, after a season that did not leave any mark, Bronny James was no longer mentioned in the 60 predictions for the 2024 NBA Draft. Not to mention, concerns about Bronny’s cardiac arrest at the beginning The season also made many teams not dare to take risks in choosing this player.
But with the 2024 NBA Draft more than 2 months away, the opportunity for Bronny James is still there. If he can impress in practice sessions or the Draft Combine, Bronny can completely enter the group of selected players in the 2024 NBA Draft.
LeBron James’ contract
In August 2022, LeBron James signed a 2-year contract extension worth $99 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, this contract has an extension option based on the player’s decision during the 2024/25 season. This means, LeBron James can completely activate this clause to stay with the Lakers, or become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
This move is because LeBron James wants to wait to see Bronny James’s next developments before the 2024 NBA Draft. If the Lakers choose Bronny, LeBron James will activate the extension. If it were another team, it is likely that the 39-year-old star would join that team on a free transfer.