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Unless the Lakers "rename the franchise" after F LeBron James next, it is “difficult to think of anything more the Lakers could do” to make sure LeBron stays with them for the rest of his "matchless" career, according to Greg Beacham of the AP. Three days after LeBron's podcast partner JJ Redick became the team’s head coach, the Lakers drafted James’ oldest son, Bronny James. Although LeBron’s future “still won’t be a sure thing” until he formally decides where he will play next season, the Lakers’ addition of his 19-year-old son in the second round of the draft Thursday “seems to make it extraordinarily unlikely LeBron will be anywhere but Los Angeles in the fall.” GM Rob Pelinka said, “The biggest moments in sports happen with the Lakers. ... We’re excited to see this story unfold.” With their “two major moves” this week, the Lakers have “made it clear they’re determined to stick with James as their centerpiece and leader” through his record-tying 22nd NBA season this fall and beyond. The 20-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion has “spoken repeatedly” over the years of his desire to play a season with his son, and now the dream “is a signature away from reality.” LeBron could “pick up his option” for 2024-25, or he could “sign a new extension for even more money.” He could get a maximum three-year, $162M deal that would “give him the longest career in NBA history if he played out the contract" (
AP, 6/28).
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CARVE HIS OWN PATH: NBCSPORTS.com's Kurt Helin writes Bronny “got his free chance.” Helin: “Did Bronny James get drafted because he is the son of LeBron James? Yes. Did the Lakers draft Bronny in large part to make free-agent-to-be LeBron happy and want to return to Los Angeles? Yes.” Helin added agent Rich Paul "absolutely" manipulated the system as best he could to get Bronny to the Lakers. All those “yes” answers have “led to a lot of pearl-clutching in some quarters,” as if Bronny’s selection at No. 55 “threatened the purity of basketball.” Helin: “That’s laughable. Bronny didn't steal this pick from some poor deserving soul -- this is pick 55.” The reality of the NBA draft is “few picks after 50 ever meaningfully play in the NBA.” Bronny “got his free chance, let’s see what he does with it.” It “will require patience.” Helin: “From the Lakers. From Lakers fans. From LeBron himself.” Bronny’s career “will be defined by the next couple of years, the work he puts in when nobody is around, and his growth in his game.” He is the “kind of player who might be part of an NBA rotation.” There is “a path, but one that is long and with a lot of hurdles along the way.” Bronny “deserves the chance to see how far along that path he can walk” (
NBCSPORTS.com, 6/28).
AT ALL COST: In L.A., Bill Plaschke wrote the decision to draft Bronny is “historical, it’s heartwarming,” but it is “not very smart.” And, for two of the main people involved, it is “not very fair.” Plaschke wrote the Lakers did it “seemingly for the reason they do a lot of things -- to keep their superstar happy.” LeBron can opt out of his contract this summer, but this is “seemingly a high price to pay.” Plaschke noted granted, the greatest fee “will not come from the Lakers,” who were not “going to get a star with the 55th pick anyway.” Plaschke: "The steepest cost will also not be affixed to LeBron, who will get to make history and play with his son and where’s the downside in that?” The “highest price” here will be “exacted from, sadly, Bronny himself.” Plaschke: “All the poetic waxing by commentators about the beauty of a father-son pairing failed to look at it from what could be the son’s point of view. Does Bronny really need this kind of pressure?" There will be the "one shining moment when they initially take the court together in a regular-season game." Plaschke also noted Bronny just will not be “learning on the job.” He will be “learning on the fire.” Pelinka “believes the kid can handle it.” He said, “Growing up as he’s grown up, there’s a fish bowl, lots of eyes looking at everything you do, he’s been able to handle all of that with an extreme maturity.” More than anything, it “seems obvious Pelinka believes he needs to keep LeBron in a Laker uniform,” and he is “betting this pick will ensure that” (
L.A. TIMES, 6/27).
