The Los Angeles Lakers have made a series of controversial decisions during the 2024 offseason. Beginning with the Dan Hurley fiasco, continuing with the hiring of JJ Redick, and anticlimactically concluding with a silent period of free agency, it's been a polarizing summer.
Of the offseason choices made by the somewhat dormant Lakers front office, one could argue that nothing garnered more negative headlines than drafting Bronny James.
James was selected at No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, thus creating the first father-son pairing in Association history. Calls of nepotism rained down, as critics cited the younger James' struggles during his medically impacted freshman season at USC.
In an appearance on Petros And Money of LA AM570 Sports, Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss defended the decision to draft James and offered a simple defense: His mentality.
“We have to let the kid have an opportunity to play and prove that he should be in a Laker uniform. Everything that we’ve seen from him and about him and his work ethic and just some of the things that he’s had to overcome, being the son of a big star, he works hard, he’s dedicated and he really wants to do this. If we can have a roster of players with that same mentality, then I think the sky is the limit.”
Whether or not James becomes the player that the Lakers are hoping he can be, Buss' description of what he brings to the table is an intriguing sign of what the organization is favoring.
Lakers drafted Bronny James because of his work ethic
It remains unclear what type of player James will become at the highest level. After signing a four-year contract with Los Angeles, however, he'll have every opportunity to develop into a quality contributor in the NBA, including what projects to be a lengthy stint with the South Bay Lakers.
If James thrives as the defensive-minded player that he's expressed the desire to become, then it stands to reason that he could become a valuable member of JJ Redick's rotation.
Regardless of what he becomes individually, Buss' comments show a shift in organizational philosophy. The Lakers have spent the 2024 offseason prioritizing accountability above all else, with the selection of James seemingly aligning with that priority.
Based on Buss' description of the reason for drafting James, the Lakers are looking for players whose work ethic and dedication to basketball is unquestionable.
It's not our place as those with an outside perspective to question how hard players and coaches have been working up to this point. If the Lakers are making sure to line their resurgence with players who will effortlessly compete, however, then it's a sign of a brighter future.
The 2023-24 Boston Celtics are evidence of such, as superstars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were complemented by a cast of high-level defenders with relentless motors.
If Los Angeles finds a way to build that type of culture around Anthony Davis and LeBron James, then perhaps it can extend its championship window. That process seems to be starting with seeing how many players on the current roster Redick can connect with.
When the time finally comes for roster decisions to be made, it seems the Lakers know what they'll be prioritizing.