Bronny James' Lakers jerseys aren't on sale right now, but it seems like it's only a matter of time before that happens. For the first time in NBA history, a mid- to low-end prospect was able to choose his destination in the league, all because of his last name.
Bronny James' scouting report shows nothing special. At best, he's expected to be a defensive-minded guard with a high basketball IQ, and that level usually doesn't reach that high in the first round. Then again, being the son of one of the greatest small forwards in NBA history — if not the greatest — there's not much to think about.
You can't have James on your team every day. Although many of the Lakers' recent picks have not been good, they have a solid scout for player development.
That's why, today we'll explain why they should use their first-round pick to acquire Bronny, even if he's not a first-round caliber talent.
Bronny James Lakers rumours: Why they should draft LeBron's son
Let's get things out of the way. For starters, Bronny James is not to blame for being LeBron's son, he is said to be a very smart player and a hardworking kid, so there is always a chance that he will end up having a good career.
He also wouldn't be the first player to struggle in college and find success in the pros. He's been surrounded by professionals his entire life, and they've all given him a nod as an NBA-caliber talent.
On top of that, he had a major health scare over the offseason, which undoubtedly had a huge impact on his preparation and the fact that he wasn't able to start his college career in time.
However, it's not like he was excelling in Sierra Canyon either, and while ESPN had him as a top-10 prospect at one point, we can't ignore LeBron James' influence, media influence, and the impact he and Klutch Sports have made. .
However, the Lakers have yet to draft him. For starters, this is one of the worst and weakest draft classes in NBA history, so it's not like they're going to give up an elite prospect to get Bronny. Truth be told, there may not be any at all.
Long term forecast
Furthermore, LeBron's future and decisions loom large. He will likely become a free agent by opting out of his contract, so they must make sure he stays in sunny California for the rest of his career.
James has been vocal about his desire to play with his eldest son, and Bronny's recruitment will ensure he's not going anywhere.
Of course, it's hard to envision James moving on at this point in his career, but the fact that Bronny has been working out with teams other than the Lakers might make it seem as if he's willing to take his talents elsewhere for the final pass of his playing days.
Bronny also has a great gene pool, and the Lakers have been successful in developing their young players. Worst case scenario, they keep him for depth for a few years while LeBron is there and then they can move on from him. Best case scenario, he ends up being a legitimately good player.
Bronny is a low risk/high reward guy. You know he's going to put in the work, and he has the frame and body ready for the NBA.
What's more, they simply can't afford to be on bad terms with LeBron, who is known for his passive-aggressive streak.
