LeBron & Bronny James: The Journey of the NBA’s First Father-Son Duo

LeBron James and Bronny James have made history in the NBA…

This article is an adaptation of a piece originally published on ESPN on October 8, 2024. All rights reserved to Eurohoops Ltd. It is strictly prohibited to use any part of this text without permission.

Before the 2024 NBA Draft, Rich Paul and Bronny James sat in Paul’s office, discussing the young player’s options. Rich Paul, one of the most renowned agents in the NBA, candidly told Bronny that it was unlikely he’d be a first-round pick and there was even a chance he might not be drafted at all. He then asked Bronny what he wanted to do.

Bronny’s response was simple: “I just want to hear my name called in the draft. It doesn’t matter where.”

The possibility of Bronny playing alongside his father, LeBron James, had been a topic of speculation in NBA circles for some time. When the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th overall pick, that dream became a reality.

Rich Paul, reflecting on the draft process, said, “Nobody pressured Bronny into entering the draft. He had the option to stay at USC or even transfer to another school. But Bronny decided to go pro.”

Bronny’s decision sparked mixed reactions across the basketball community. After averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the Las Vegas Summer League, Bronny traveled to Paris to watch his father and Team USA compete in the Olympics. He later spent the rest of the summer training with Tyrese Maxey and Darius Garland.

Bronny’s journey to the NBA hasn’t been without challenges. After suffering a cardiac arrest in July 2023, Bronny managed to play just 25 games in college for USC. This significantly impacted his physical preparedness. According to Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka, Bronny worked tirelessly during the offseason, arriving at the training facilities early each day to shake off the rust.

By September 30, 2024, at the Lakers’ media day, Bronny was officially part of the team. After posing with his teammates and giving interviews alongside his father, Bronny opened up about the criticism he faced after turning pro.

“I know some people think I shouldn’t be here, but I don’t pay much attention to that. I want to use that criticism as motivation to become a better player,” Bronny said.

On Sunday, the Lakers played the Phoenix Suns in a preseason game, marking the first time in NBA history that a father and son shared the court. LeBron James played 16 minutes, scoring 19 points, while Bronny missed his only shot attempt in 13 minutes and committed four turnovers.

Rich Paul emphasized Bronny’s dedication, stating, “This is not a game for him. He takes it very seriously. He wants to play in the NBA, and no matter what role he’s given, he’ll do everything he can to succeed.”

However, there are still doubts within NBA circles about Bronny’s ability as a player. An executive from an Eastern Conference team voiced these concerns: “Lakers fans, LeBron James, and Rich Paul have expectations that don’t align with basketball reality. If they knew how far Bronny is from being an NBA-level player, they wouldn’t have even tried this.”

Rich Paul is aware of the narrative surrounding Bronny and hopes to change it, though skepticism has only grown stronger over time. Scouts and executives have agreed on two things regarding Bronny: he is the most famous second-round pick in NBA history, and he’s been drafted by the team where it will be hardest for him to succeed. Media scrutiny in a place like Los Angeles will be relentless.

An Eastern Conference executive summed up the situation: “Bronny is set up to fail. What can you expect under these conditions?”

One NBA scout, who watched Bronny closely during a pre-draft workout in Chicago, had followed his progress for years. Bronny’s college stats—4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game—weren’t exactly eye-catching.

The scout reported that while Bronny is a humble player who accepts coaching, plays the game the right way, and works hard, he doesn’t possess the necessary skills to be an NBA player. Most scouts, while acknowledging his character, don’t believe Bronny will ever reach the NBA level. Optimism about Bronny’s potential is also in short supply.

Bronny’s health issues further complicate his situation. After undergoing surgery following his cardiac event, his performance noticeably declined.

At the Chicago pre-draft workout, Bronny told reporters that the NBA players he models his game after are Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Davion Mitchell—all known for their defense. Scouts took this as a sign that Bronny knows his own limitations. When asked about the possibility of playing alongside his father, a topic widely discussed since LeBron’s 2022 interview with The Athletic, Bronny remained dismissive.

LeBron had said he wanted to play with his son in his final NBA season. However, he later revised that statement, saying that while he wanted to share the court with Bronny, they didn’t have to be on the same team.

Bronny, on the other hand, was trying to distance himself from the notion of playing with his father. “My dream has always been to play in the NBA,” he explained. “People have talked about the possibility of playing with my dad, but I’ve never focused on that. I want to be known as Bronny James, not LeBron James’ son.”

But carving out an identity separate from his legendary father is a nearly impossible task.

The day after this interview, Bronny participated in a scrimmage with other draft prospects. He scored 13 points in 23 minutes, earning MVP honors and an ESPN post-game interview. Watching from afar, LeBron beamed with pride.

Two weeks later, Rich Paul officially announced Bronny’s entry into the NBA Draft, a move that some team executives and scouts considered a mistake.

A Western Conference executive remarked, “He should’ve stayed in school, that’s obvious.”

An Eastern Conference executive added, “In an ideal world, Bronny would have played four years in college.”

The son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Bronny James, was selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft.

One Western Conference executive commented on the surreal nature of Bronny’s draft selection: “When you look at the numbers, he’s clearly not an NBA player. On paper, there’s no logical reason for Bronny to be in the NBA, aside from his name.”

Other executives agree that Bronny isn’t talented enough to warrant a spot in the NBA. One Eastern Conference executive noted, “It’s not just about his name or being LeBron’s son. The real reason is that Bronny was raised by LeBron. The team that takes a chance on Bronny is investing in LeBron’s project. Bronny will never embarrass you because LeBron won’t allow people to say his son is lazy. But the pressure on Bronny is enormous, and it’s not fair to him.”

In December 2023, Bronny made his collegiate debut with USC, and Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka was in the stands. The Lakers believe that with proper development, Bronny can become a 3&D player—a role player who contributes on both ends of the floor.

Insiders close to the Lakers organization maintain that Bronny’s selection was entirely about basketball. However, they also acknowledge that the Lakers have always catered to the desires of their star players. The organization knew LeBron’s dream of playing with his son, and their moves were meticulously calculated.

After a workout with the Lakers on July 13, Bronny sealed his spot on the team. The risk was minimal, and the reward—making NBA history—was enticing.

Of course, Bronny’s selection brings its challenges. Lakers coach JJ Redick will face daily questions about him, and every step Bronny takes in the NBA or G-League will be scrutinized. If Bronny fails to meet expectations, fans will harshly criticize both the Lakers and LeBron. If Bronny succeeds, many will attribute his success solely to his father’s influence.

On draft night, Bronny wasn’t among the players invited to the green room. He watched the event with his family and friends in New York, including Rich Paul and LeBron’s mother, Gloria. As the Lakers’ 55th pick approached, former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers shared on-air that Paul had called teams, urging them not to draft Bronny, telling them that if they did, Bronny would spend the season playing in Australia. This move essentially guaranteed Bronny’s selection by the Lakers.

When the Lakers announced their pick, there were celebrations in both the Lakers’ draft room and the James family’s gathering. Lakers coach JJ Redick hugged General Manager Pelinka to celebrate the selection, while Bronny’s brother Bryce exclaimed, “That’s it! That’s it!”

On July 2, Bronny addressed the media for the first time as a Lakers player, expressing his excitement: “It all feels so surreal right now. I’m grateful to JJ and Rob for the opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

Redick interjected, “Rob and I didn’t give you anything. You earned it. We prioritize player development, and looking at Bronny’s athleticism, defense, shooting, and passing, he’s the perfect fit for us.”

Redick’s emphasis on development highlights a shift in the Lakers’ approach. The organization, long focused on building teams around superstar players, must now invest heavily in the development of a second-round pick to keep their current superstar, LeBron, happy.

A Western Conference executive noted, “Bronny will have