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The Golden State Warriors reportedly handed on Bronny James throughout the 2024 NBA draft regardless of having him on their draft board.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors “liked Bronny's skill set,” however they determined towards taking him at No. 52 total to “respect the wishes” of his father and Los Angeles Lakers famous person LeBron James.
Ultimately, Bronny landed with the Lakers at the fifty fifth total decide in the second spherical, which means he and LeBron are in line to be the first father-son duo to play collectively in NBA historical past.
Bronny, 19, performed one season collegiately, showing in 25 video games with USC final season.
James' faculty profession received off to a late begin as a result of him having to endure a coronary heart process after going into cardiac arrest throughout a exercise, however he made his debut after lacking the Trojans' first eight video games.
Unfortunately for Bronny, he by no means fairly discovered his footing on the workforce, averaging simply 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per recreation, whereas capturing 36.6 p.c from the subject and 26.7 p.c from past the arc.
There was some thought that Bronny may play himself into first-round consideration with a robust freshman 12 months, however as a result of his struggles, it was unclear if he would even enter the draft.
Bronny determined to go away USC for the NBA after just one season, although, turning down the alternative to probably enhance his numbers as a sophomore and assist his draft inventory.
Entering the pre-draft course of, it wasn't identified if Bronny would even be chosen in the draft, however after performing well in capturing drills at the mix, he put himself firmly in the second-round dialog.
The Lakers have been all the time thought-about the favourite to take Bronny since LeBron expressed his need to be teammates along with his son on many events, however there was additionally hypothesis that one other workforce might take Bronny in an effort to compel LeBron to signal with them in free company.
During the draft, former Warriors normal supervisor Bob Myers mentioned Bronny's agent, Rich Paul, was telling groups to not take Bronny:
In an effort to make sure Bronny would fall to the Lakers, Myers mentioned Paul advised different groups Bronny would play in Australia as an alternative in the event that they have been to draft him.
Had the Warriors not listened to Paul, it may have created an intriguing state of affairs because it associated to LeBron's standing,
LeBron hadn't but signed a brand new contract with the Lakers and technically may have examined free company and signed elsewhere. It is truthful to surprise if the attract of taking part in alongside his son and a future Hall of Famer in Stephen Curry would have prompted LeBron to at the least contemplate leaving the Lakers for the Warriors.
The Warriors' respect for LeBron has lengthy been evident, and as a lot as the group undoubtedly would have beloved the alternative to pair him with Curry, they put the legendary future Hall of Famer's emotions and needs above their very own by passing on Bronny.
