Lakers Reportedly Buying In On Bronny James As Desperate Attempt To Keep Dad LeBron James
Before leaving the NBA, LeBron James' final wish is to play pro ball with his son, Bronny James.
Because of this, the Los Angeles Lakers have their priorities in all the wrong places, coming off a humiliating series against the Denver Nuggets, which happened to be the case last postseason as well.
Yet here they are, still unwilling to make roster improvements just to keep LeBron happy …
According to a report by The Athletic, Lakers brass have expressed interest in drafting Bronny James, a move that reeks of L.A.'s desperation to keep LeBron James committed to the team.
After losing to the Nuggets over a lack of bench scoring or a big man to ease the pressure off Anthony Davis, the Lakers want to bring an underwhelming scoring guard out of USC (Bronny) with frankly no appeal for this upcoming draft outside of the name recognition.
LAS VEGAS - Bronny James of the USC Trojans looks on in the second half of a quarterfinal game against the Arizona Wildcats during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Are the Lakers Interested in Bronny? Or Being Held Hostage By LeBron James?
Word of mouth about the Lakers' interest in Bronny comes in the aftermath of LeBron's postgame comments on Monday, in which he expressed uncertainty over returning to the Lakers next season.
James' declaration that he's not certain about returning to the team drives a foot through L.A.'s game plan for the future as James slowly realizes that he's not enough at this stage in his career to elevate a bereft team to a Finals appearance.
READ: LeBron James Won't Commit to Lakers Return
Longtime LeBron reporter Brian Windhorst shared that James is considering opting out of his contract this offseason with plans to either further cripple the Lakers' salary cap with a new deal or hold the organization hostage, as he mulls leaving L.A. for an actual contending team.
Is the interest in Bronny just a means to keep LeBron?
You bet it is.
James had to be fully aware that the Lakers weren't convinced to draft a 6-foot-4 scoring guard who averaged just 4.8 points per game in one year of college ball … so LBJ had to apply some pressure to help bring the interest in Bronny up.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, this Lakers' postseason roster is humiliated over a lack of proper height in the front-court.
But sure, let's go with Bronny James as the big offseason acquisition to turn things around for next year.
That's What You Get When LeBron James Runs the Show…
From Cleveland to Miami to (eventually) Los Angeles, teams become more cohesive and future-oriented when LeBron is no longer in the building.
Cavs exec Koby Altman constructed an impressive roster in Cleveland through draft picks. Pat Riley's Miami Heat benefited from letting coach Erik Spoelstra lead personnel.
In Los Angeles, general manager Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss are ball-and-chained to 39-year-old LeBron James, whose request to stay will now be to draft his son.
Imagine being the Lakers prospect missing out on the roster gifted to Bronny. Now, this isn't a critique on the kid but on his father, who blindly hyped him up as a Day 1 NBA starter, only to later backtrack the hype. (Shame on James.)
The Lakers have made the playoffs four times since LeBron James arrived and lost in the first round twice.
Last year's Lakers postseason ended in a Western Conference sweep by the Denver Nuggets.
In 2020, James won his Mickey Mouse ring.
A championship may be a championship, but LeBron's time in L.A. undoubtedly fell short of all the hype.
Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Send a message: alejandro.avila@outkick.com