Report: Lakers have interest in drafting Bronny James to pair with father LeBron

LeBron James is reportedly going to become a free agent this summer now that the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs.

As far as his future and his son Bronny James’ basketball future, the two could come together. Where might you ask? Los Angeles, according to Shams Charania.

According to Charania, LA is very interested in giving LeBron whatever he wants to finish his career with the Lakers and Bronny could play a factor in those discussions.

“His option date is June 29th and guys, this is interesting because June 29th is after the NBA draft and right before free agency,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “LeBron James will have all the answers he needs to have by that point. What happens with his son, Bronny James, if he does stay in the draft? Another thing I reported and we reported, the Lakers very much have interest in drafting Bronny James.

“They know LeBron James has spoken on the record about wanting to play with Bronny and at the end of the day, he wants the best for Bronny.”

Bronny James played his freshman season at USC coming off the bench and making a few starts. However, he entered the transfer portal and also entered the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility. 

LeBron James simply wants what’s best for his eldest son.

“If that means Bronny James getting drafted by another team making more guaranteed money, he’s obviously going to be an advocate of that,” Charania said. “But the Lakers have made it known to him and the world that they are very much in the game as far as trying to pick him and they’re gonna have potentially a first-round pick and a second-round pick to bring him in. 

“And in a perfect world guys, having LeBron James and Bronny James on this team next season and moving forward, that is going to be at least one of the goals for the Lakers.”

Bronny James appeared in 25 games this year, including six starts, after missing the start of the season as he recovered from cardiac arrest over the offseason. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals during his time at USC. James arrived on campus as a highly touted recruit.

A four-star prospect, he was the No. 25 overall prospect from the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 was the only service to rank James as a five-star.