This felt like an inevitability. The Los Angeles Lakers held a late second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Bronny James declared for the draft and was projected to be a second-round selection. So, it was a matter of whether Bronny would fall to the Lakers at pick No. 55, or if another team would select him.
On Thursday, Bronny was selected with the No. 55 overall pick by the Lakers.
Bronny: Los Angeles Laker. pic.twitter.com/TvhkzEs9sO
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 27, 2024
Not only will he stay in California, but he will also get to team up with his father, LeBron James. This would be the first time ever that a father and son would play on the same NBA team.
Lets' take a look at some of the reactions on social media of LeBron and Bronny joining forces on the Lakers.
Lakers draft Bronny James in second round of NBA Draft: Best memes, tweets
The journey continues. Welcome to the big stage, Bronny. pic.twitter.com/XaueRuN78B
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) June 27, 2024
Rich Paul: “Don’t draft Bronny or we’ll have him play in Australia.”
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) June 27, 2024
NBA GMs: pic.twitter.com/77jtWJQ3z8
All scouting reports aside I would LOVE to be in a position to not only play in the NBA but have my son drafted to the same team. Best of luck to Bronny. The more I think about this picture, the crazier it gets. pic.twitter.com/tkgYBLsUyK
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) June 27, 2024
From watching his dad play in Cleveland to playing with his dad in LA.
— SN Ohio (@SN_Ohio) June 27, 2024
Congrats to Bronny 👏 pic.twitter.com/iXS4vb6DII
Lebron James when the Lakers drafted Bronny James. pic.twitter.com/DvEJltLrz5
— Depressed Lakers fan (@oprahsideclark) June 27, 2024
NBA Teams after Rich Paul tells them not to draft Bronny James pic.twitter.com/UzFjM7JFHJ
— ᴄʀᴏᴡ (@crowbrss) June 27, 2024
Bronny didn't play much in his lone season at USC, due in part to suffering cardiac arrest. With that, he was limited to 25 games for the Trojans, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 36.6 percent from the field.
It was a bit of a shock when Bronny did declare for the draft, considering the lack of playing time. But he did impress throughout the pre-draft process, especially at the NBA Scouting Combine. Bronny worked out for just two teams -- the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.
During the draft, former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers said he heard Bronny's agent, Rich Paul, was calling teams to tell them not to draft the USC product, and threatened that his client would be "going to Australia." Whether that's true or not remains to be seen. Either way, Bronny found his way onto the Lakers.
This has to be an awesome moment for LeBron. He had been very vocal in the past about wanting to play with Bronny before retiring as an NBA player. Bronny did say that he would like to follow his own path to the league. Now, LeBron's dream has become a reality -- a father and son playing on the same team.