Some call it nepotism, others ill-advised, some would argue it’s heartwarming and most Lakers fans don’t really care as long as James, the four-time NBA champion, four-time league’s Most Valuable Player and all-time scoring leader who is technically still a free agent despite reportedly agreeing to a recent contract extension is happy and donning a purple-and-gold uniform come November, chasing an 18th championship that would even the banners again with the recently crowned Boston Celtics.

The market has closed quickly on game-changing players like Paul George or veterans like Chris Paul and Klay Thompson, who swapped the neighbouring Clippers for Philadelphia, the Phoenix Suns for the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks, respectively, in the first week of NBA fee agency. As for the Draft, Day One netted Tennessee forward Dalton Knetch for the storied California franchise, but it was the second round selection of Bronny James, LeBron's oldest son, the one that captured the most headlines.

The celebrity dad had flirted for years with the possibility of joining his offspring in order to form the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history, and even hinted that such an option would help tilt the balance favourably to his staying in LA, where Bronny played college ball at the University of Southern California.

Drafted with the 55th selection out of 58 picks, the 19-year old will don the number nine jersey with the name "James Jr." on the back, and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka did not hesitate to deem the potential pairing “something that could be magical” during his post-Draft press conference. "In the history of basketball, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court," he underlined. "It's an honour for us to add him to our program. We're excited to see this story unfold."

Other Laker legends also chimed in, most noticeably the most Hollywood of them all, Magic Johnson. "Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers!" Johnson shared on social media. "This is a historic moment... Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!"

Indeed, while the teenager vies for roster minutes in Vegas a year removed from his collapse during a Trojans practice due to a cardiac arrest, LeBron will go all-in with Team USA in Paris this July, when the Games are due to start. He has played in three Olympics so far and hopes to nab a fifth consecutive gold medal for the Americans next to counterpart Stephen Curry, his longtime rival with the Warriors, also in need of a quick reboot.

"I’m still playing a high level," James said after Saturday's practice. "I still love the game of basketball. And Team USA has done well by me, so I felt like it was important for this summer to be able to go out there and play with the rest of the guys. Our only goal is to win a gold medal."

Insiders interpreted James’ decision to not exercise his option for a $51.4 million (€ 47.5 m) contract extension after the season as sign that he was seeking a new, team-friendly deal with the Lakers that would help the California franchise restructure its roster. The other option, that of the legend turned free agent leaving LA for greener pastures at 39 years-old, seemed unlikely. 

“He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster,” said his agent from Klutch Sports, Rich Paul, while the player’s unofficial deadline regarding free agency was believed to be by the start of USA Basketball’s Olympic training camp this Saturday.

Not that LeBron hasn’t had his share of back-and-forths on what should come next, noting of late that he had moved “past the idea” of playing alongside his son, maybe realising a bit too late that the natural order of such intimate feelings usually trends in the opposite direction: teenagers don’t necessarily want to share time and space with their dads.

"Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character and, second, he's a young man that works incredibly hard and those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core of the Lakers," Pelinka said of the young guard, who averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists at USC last season. "In terms of his work ethic, I think we've all seen that lived out too. He's not a person that has ever taken shortcuts or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities. He has worked for everything he has gotten."

Still a powerful basketball force who averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists in his 21st season and a main draw at the gate despite being the oldest active NBA player, LeBron holds considerable sway on all things Lakers: he was not a fan of former coach Darvin Ham’s work and it sure seems like his substitute, JJ Redick, was hand-picked by the Ohio native, who shared a popular podcast with his new boss. 

"Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around Bronny to increase his basketball skills and turn him into a player we think can impact and help this franchise," Pelinka added.

On the court, another $20 million (€18.5 m) will make ‘King’ James the first player ever to top $500 million (€461 m) earnings, while his off-court ventures and investments could presumably net over $1 billion (€0.92 bn). The pride of Cleveland, where he delivered the city’s first sports title in over 50 years in 2016, moved to the West Coast right after to better his chances of stockpiling championships (check), bolster his basketball legacy (double check) and enhance his business opportunities (triple check).

Next on the list would be a gold-medal selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background. For now, the Lakers family photo can wait.