Bronny James is officially a member of the the Los Angeles Lakersand it appears his agent, Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul, has said everything he can to dissuade other NBA teams.
Paul, who long represented James’ superstar father, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer Lebron Jamesreportedly told NBA teams not to sign the USC product because he would go play in Australia if they did.
“Rich Paul calls teams and says, ‘Don’t take Bronny James,'” former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers said on ESPN’s NBA Draft show.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and his agent, Rich Paul, attend the BIG3 Championship game between the Triplets and the Killer 3’s on September 1, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“He said, ‘Don’t take him. If you take him, he’ll go to Australia. So he’s got a plan and he’s got a place.’
That report from Myers came early in the second round, and he followed it up in a separate segment as the Lakers’ 55th overall pick loomed.
“I think we can all imagine what Rich Paul’s goal is in this situation. There’s a difference between hoping it happens and making sure it happens,” Myers said.
LAKERS SELECT LEBRON JAMES’ SON BRONNY IN NBA DRAFT
If Paul’s plan was to ensure that anyone picking above the Lakers in the second round wouldn’t think of James, then it was a major success.
The James family was emotional, as one would imagine, when Bronny’s name was called by the Lakers at number 55, and Paul was spotted sitting right next to him when it all went down.
Bronny James poses for a photo during the 2024 NBA Combine on May 13, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
LeBron and Bronny became the first-ever father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time, and while the elder James hasn’t made his return to the Lakers official next season, there’s strong incentive to do so . , now that his son is on board.
That said, Bronny has been an intriguing NBA Draft prospect throughout this process due to his less-than-impressive freshman stats with the Trojans, leading to debate over whether his talent can develop into NBA-worthy play.
Although his athleticism and dynamism have been demonstrated, Bronny has not proven himself enough to scouts and experts to consider him a promising NBA prospect.
But who knows what James, who had a slow start to the season after suffering a cardiac arrest in late July 2023, can accomplish with his father and new Lakers head coach JJ Redick?
Former Warriors general manager Bob Myers reported that LeBron James’ longtime agent Rich Paul told NBA teams not to draft Bronny James until after the Lakers picked him. (Getty Images)
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NBA fans have always discussed what would happen if LeBron and Bronny could be on the same team. This has now become a reality, and Paul has apparently done everything he can to make it happen.
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