The Los Angeles Lakers are making waves this offseason.
A week after hiring former player and ESPN announcer JJ Redick as their head coach, the Lakers made the historic move of drafting LeBron James’ son, Bronny James.
But Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Bronny James was selected based on merit.
“He’s worked hard for everything he’s got, including being selected today with the 55th pick,” Pelinka said. Said During a press conference after the Lakers selected James in the second round of the NBA Draft on Thursday.
James, 19, and LeBron James, 39, will be the NBA’s first father-son duo to play together every time they take the court. “NBA history will be made in Lakers uniforms next season,” Pelinka said.
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Bronny James was drafted:What it means for him, the team and LeBron’s future
clock:Bronny James teams up with his father, LeBron James, after learning the Lakers selected him in the NBA Draft
Bronny James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 27 percent from 3-point range in 25 games at USC, but Pelinka said James showed real value in pre-draft workouts with the Lakers.
“Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of integrity,” Pelinka said, “and secondly, he’s an incredibly hard-working young man. And those are the qualities we look for when we draft players and when they join the growing core of the Lakers.”
Pelinka added: “He had a great draft practice with us and we had an hour-long lunch together at the school to get to know each other and he showed me those qualities. It was clear to see that he’s a person of character. I think we all saw that embody in terms of his work ethic. He’s never one to take shortcuts, to expect basketball opportunities or to be entitled.”
Pelinka said Redick is already working on a strategy to develop the younger James into an “impact” player.
“We are honored to add him to our team,” Pelinka said. “Coach Redick is already excited to put together a development plan to help him improve his basketball skills and mold him into a player who can make an impact and contribute to this team.”
The Lakers went 47-35 this season, losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The last time the Lakers won an NBA championship was in the COVID-19 bubble in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge.
