In a groundbreaking move, the Los Angeles Lakers have drafted Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, as the 55th pick in the NBA Draft held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday.
This historic selection sets the stage for the first-ever father-son duo to play in the NBA simultaneously in the 2024-25 season. LeBron, 39, and Bronny are expected to share the court, blending experience with fresh talent.
Bronny has shown promise during his rookie season with the University of Southern California, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Despite a significant setback, including nearly five months recovering from a cardiac arrest episode, Bronny made a strong return to join the Lakers' lineup.
The Lakers' decision to draft Bronny is also closely tied to LeBron James' future with the team. LeBron has until Saturday to decide whether to exercise his $51.4 million player option for the upcoming season. Should he choose not to, the Lakers have the option to retain him with a three-year, $162 million contract at maximum.
Teammate Anthony Davis has expressed high praise for Bronny, highlighting the young player's resilience and potential to contribute significantly to the team's success.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
