LA Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka addressed the media shortly after drafting the son of LeBron, Bronny James. The Lakers used their 55th pick to select the former USC guard and secured him to pair with his father. They can be the first father-son duo to actively play in the league.
During the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, the Lakers used their 17th pick to select Dalton Knecht. Many thought they would use that pick to draft Bronny. As it turns out, they had a different plan for acquiring the promising guard.
Pelinka talked to reporters on Thursday, and among those was Sportskeeda's Mark Medina, who addressed the franchise drafting of Bronny.
"Next season, NBA history could be made," Pelinka said. "And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform. That's just how we globally feel about the draft moment, but more important than that, is to talk about Bronny James as a basketball player. This is his day and he is the one selected with the 55th pick.
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"Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of high character. Second, he is a young man that works incredibly hard. And those are the qualities you look for in drafting players and adding to our development core at the Lakers."
Bronny had an underwhelming college season at USC. However, many still hope that he'll develop into a solid player once he gets a chance to be drafted in the league. Now, he has an opportunity to showcase his talents under the spotlight of Los Angeles.
NBA insider, not a fan of calling Bronny James' journey to the league "nepotism"
Bronny James' journey to the NBA has been unique and also not conventional. Due to the stardom of his father, LeBron, fans have looked at the prospect's path to the league differently. Many have used the term "nepotism" when talking about Bronny and his father being in the same league at the same time.
However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski urges fans not to use the specific term anymore.
"I don’t want to hear these charges—people talking about nepotism," Wojnarowski said. "The NBA is full of nepotism: the ownership level, front offices, coaching. I don’t want to hear it all of a sudden because Bronny James’ father plays for the Lakers. It is rampant in this league."
Even though Bronny shares the same last name as one of the best players in the league, he still has a lot to prove to the doubters.
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