With the 2024 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, all eyes are on the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition to waiting to find out whether or not they'll be retaining the No. 17 overall pick in the annual selection process, the Lakers are faced with a unique opportunity to pair LeBron James with Bronny James.
While everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter, Bronny James has finally been asked the ultimate question: Does he want to be teammates with his father?
Potentially in possession of the No. 17 and No. 55 overall selections in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Lakers will have two opportunities to potentially unite father and son in Los Angeles. Inevitably, speculation is running rampant as to whether or not Rob Pelinka would utilize one of the team's picks to do so.
In a recent interview with Robbie Hummel of SiriusXM NBA Radio, James answered the question of how important it is to him to be able to play with his father.
"It would mean a lot, for sure, but that's not my main focus right now. My main focus is to actually get to the league. But that's just plus points on top that I could share the court with my dad, I feel like that would be a great experience."
When asked what it's been like to effectively live in the spotlight as he attempts to make a name for himself as a potential NBA player, James expressed how it's become something he uses to his advantage.
"It's a lot to deal with. Over the years, I feel like it's built me into a person that's strong mentally and can get over these type of things."
The jury is still out on James' NBA future, as is the case for every player in this draft class, but he's certainly handled the pressure that comes with being the son of the face of the Association well.
James, 19, is coming off of a strong showing at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. He measured just under 6'2" without shoes, but boasts a 6'7.25" wingspan that should help even the odds defensively. He also turned heads with a 40.5" max vertical leap and put forth strong showings in the agility drills.
After a freshman campaign with the USC Trojans that was undoubtedly impacted by the fact that he went into cardiac arrest mere months before the start of the season, James offered a reminder of the type of upside he possesses at the Combine.
In terms of what this means for the Lakers, the jury is still out. Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times recently reported that Los Angeles' No. 55 overall selection is viewed as the floor for where James will be drafted this June.
Woike also reports that the Lakers have already, "Conducted a prospect interview," with James, but that's admittedly to be expected at this time of the year.
James projects as a combo guard with defensive upside due to his physical attributes and intensity. His offensive game remains something of a mystery, but aggressive defenders tend to find their way into NBA rotations.
In the event that the Lakers opt to draft James, those defensive tools will be crucial to helping him achieve his goal of making his own name in the NBA. If they opt not to, then his commitment to the craft will remain the same.
Either way, all eyes will be on the No. 17 and No. 55 overall selections in the 2024 NBA Draft.