The NBA draft takes place this week, and many fans will be interested to see where LeBron James’ kid Bronny ends up.
The first round of the draft begins on Wednesday, June 26, followed by the second round on Thursday, June 27. One popular belief is that Bronny will be selected by the Los Angeles Lakers to play with his father during what is expected to be LeBron’s final season on the floor.
The 19-year-old finished his freshman year of college basketball with the University of Southern California Trojans, averaging 4.8 points and 2.1 assists per game.
Bronny, unlike his father, who is 6ft 9ins and is the NBA’s all-time top scorer, is 6ft 1ins tall and a defensive player.
However, being the son of a four-time NBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player garners extra attention. Bronny has 7.7 million Instagram followers, and critics have been tracking his progress for years.
Despite this, his journey has not been without challenges. Bronny experienced a cardiac attack while training last July, and he was only cleared to return to basketball in November after being diagnosed with a congenital heart abnormality.
Will Bronny James be selected by the Lakers?
LeBron, 39, is likely entering the final year of his career and could become a free agency this summer if he declines his $51.4 million (£40.6 million) player option when the window opens at the end of June.
But might Bronny be used as leverage to get LeBron to sign a new contract?
Following the 2022 All-Star Game, the four-time NBA champion told reporters, “My final year will be played with my son.”
Earlier this month, the Lakers announced JJ Redick, a television pundit and former player who currently co-hosts a basketball podcast with James, as their new head coach. With no coaching experience, the 40-year-old former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard might try to create a squad around LeBron.
The Lakers have the 17th and 55th picks in the draft. They are also one of only two clubs, along with the Phoenix Suns, with which Bronny worked out prior to the draft.
Bronny James of the West team talks with his father, LeBron James, following the 2023 McDonald’s High School Boys All-American Game.
Bronny is the eldest of three siblings, with younger brother Bryce Maximus (17) and sister Zhuri (9).
What is the NBA Draft, and how does it work?
Who else could Bronny James join?
Rich Paul, who represents both Bronny and LeBron, told ESPN earlier this month that Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison is “like an uncle” to Bronny.
The Mavericks own the No. 58 pick.
During the same interview, Paul stated that the Minnesota Timberwolves would “love to get Bronny in” and that Masai Ujirim, president of the Toronto Raptors, “loves” the young talent.
The Timberwolves have picks 27 and 37, while the Raptors have numbers 19 and 31.
Who will be the top NBA draft pick?
Two 19-year-old Frenchmen, Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr, are expected to be the first and second picks.
Risacher stands 6 feet 9 inches and plays as a small forward for JL Bourg-en-Bresse, a top level French team. Sarr stands 7 feet 1 inch tall and plays forward or centre for the Perth Wildcats of Australia.
Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard, 20, University of Connecticut centre Donovan Clingan, 20, and his 19-year-old teammate Stephon Castle, who plays guard, are all anticipated to be in the top five.
Who is Quinn Ellis, a British draftee?
Quinn Ellis, a 21-year-old from Sheffield, most recently played for Italian club Dolomiti Energia Trentino. ESPN has rated the point guard among its top 100 draft projections.
What time is the draft?
This year’s draft will take place over two nights. The opening round will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, beginning at 20:00 ET (01:00 GMT).
The second round will begin at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York on Thursday, June 27 at 16:00 ET (21:00 GMT).
