REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers Open To Drafting Bronny James To Keep LeBron In Free Agency

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Where is the next stop for Lebron James in his storied NBA career?

Well, if the Los Angeles Lakers have a say in the matter they hope there won’t be one, and they’re doing everything in their power to make that the case.

That even means potentially using a pick in this summer’s NBA Draft on LeBron’s son, Bronny.

NBA reporter Shams Charania made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday and confirmed that the famed franchise is willing to go to extensive lengths to keep James (the elder) around.

“LeBron James still, from everything I hear, wants to play up to two more NBA season,” Charania said. “…The Lakers want to bring him back, and the Lakers want to be in a position where if it is drafting Bronny in the second round, they do have interest in bringing Bronny James in as a draft pick.”

James (the younger) was highly touted recruit but suffered a sudden cardiac arrest prior to his freshman campaign at USC then struggled mightily upon return. The 6-foot-4 combo guard averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per hame for the Trojans while shooting just 26.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite that, he entered his name in the 2024 NBA Draft. Though he is still eligible to withdraw.

Charania’s statement backs up an earlier report where he claimed that “team sources say the Lakers are very open to the prospect of helping LeBron fulfill his dream of playing with his son Bronny by potentially drafting him.

“His hard-to-handicap NBA future remains a topic of great debate, but rival teams believe it is not a matter of if he is a draft pick, but whether the selection range, location and fit are enough to keep him in the draft.”

That’s quite the commitment. But for LeBron James, it’s a commitment you’re happy to make.