The Los Angeles Lakers are keeping score with LeBron James, and one of the things they reportedly believe is still a huge factor working for them is the "favor" they did for the aging star by selecting Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft. That is what Dave McMenamin wrote in his assessment of the upcoming free agency saga between the two sides.
"And for James to not understand the franchise's position in catering to [Luka] Doncic while also disregarding the fact that the Lakers had maintained a spot for not only him, but his son Bronny, could be viewed as obtuse at best and disingenuous at worst."
Who are the Lakers trying to fool by implying that Bronny has not been one of their best draft picks in recent years? They have a notable list of failures from the last few NBA Drafts. The younger of the two James on the team is far from one of them.
Lakers are benefitting from Bronny James as much as LeBron James is
There is a strong case for Bronny being the best pick the Lakers have made since 2023. Front office and management would be lying by suggesting they are not gaining from selecting James with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft.
Bronny has steadily improved over the last two seasons within the Lakers developmental system. The younger James saw minutes off the bench in the postseason this year. Not only did he get playing time, but James showed tremendous bursts of upside in those opportunities.
What have the other recent selections done for the Lakers of late?
In 2022, the Lakers had a home run by selecting Max Christie in the second round. He was a pivotal part of the trade package for Luka Doncic. That was their last proven win in the NBA Draft.
Drafting Jalen Hood-Schifino was a move that spurred plenty of regret. While the former Lakers guard struggled to accomplish much of anything in Los Angeles, the players taken immediately after him turned into contributors for their teams.
Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' first-round pick in the same year Bronny was taken, has played his way out of JJ Redick's rotation throughout his two years in Los Angeles. Similarly to Hood-Schifino, Pelinka and company missed out on several strong contributors who were taken right after Knecht.
Adou Thiero should be a player who pushes Bronny for the distinction of best selection made in recent years. Thiero has plenty of upside, but there are just few proven results so far from a largely developmental year in his first season.
When looking at that recent history, do the Lakers really want to sell the idea of Bronny being a favor to LeBron anymore? The young guard is flirting with being a permanent rotation-level player. The rest of their picks in recent years have largely been duds.
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