The Los Angeles Lakers have opted against using their 2024 first-round pick to draft Bronny James, as LeBron’s eldest son was snubbed entirely on Wednesday night.
Potentially projected to be among the first 30 picks amid his superstar father’s player option this offseason, Bronny, 19, and his entourage were nowhere to be seen at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the first night of the draft.
Instead, LeBron posted footage of himself with Bronny and his younger son Bryce, 17, hooping in Manhattan on Instagram, Wednesday, captioning his post: ‘Not a feeling in the fkn world better than being around raising my boys to MEN!
‘Pops over here getting emotional as hell just thinking yall journey so far! Thank you both for allowed me to be your DAD and be part of your compass through life’s trials and tribulations!’
Instead of drafting Bronny as the 17th overall pick on Wednesday, the Lakers selected shooting guard/small forward Dalton Knecht, out of Tennessee.
Bronny James did not get a call from any NBA coaches or general managers on Wednesday
LA’s move in the draft will certainly be interesting to analyze in the coming days as LeBron, 39, has a $51.4million play option on his contract that must be decided by Saturday.
According to ESPN, the Lakers are ‘committed to re-signing James’ and are willing to offer him the full three-year max contract ($162million) he is eligible for this summer.
More to follow…