Claims that LeBron James personally “forced” the Los Angeles Lakers to draft his son Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft – a move widely criticized as nepotism – have been firmly debunked by one of the league’s most respected insiders.
Bronny and LeBron James
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, speaking on the Mason & Ireland Show, clarified that there is no evidence LeBron or his agent Rich Paul ever demanded the selection. Instead, the decision appears to have been a proactive one by Lakers leadership – specifically Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka – aimed at pleasing the team’s biggest star.
Shelburne stated plainly:
“I don’t think LeBron asked the Lakers to draft Bronny. I think they did it because they thought LeBron would like that.”
A recent ESPN report by Baxter Holmes suggested tension between LeBron and Buss, with the Lakers governor reportedly feeling James was “ungrateful” for the gesture of drafting his son – a move she viewed as a significant favor. Shelburne, however, emphasized that this was an internal Lakers decision, not the result of pressure from James.
LeBron’s Response: “I’m 41 and I Don’t Care” LeBron has remained unfazed by the media narratives. In a recent statement, he said:
“I don’t really care about articles… I’m 41 years old, and I watch golf every day. I don’t care how somebody feels about me. If you know me personally, you know what I’m about.”
Jeanie Buss issued a statement via The Athletic, calling the reports “unfair” to LeBron and reaffirming her appreciation for what he has brought to the franchise.
Other Teams Also Interested in Bronny Shelburne revealed that at least three other Western Conference powerhouses were closely monitoring Bronny’s draft status:
Golden State Warriors: Liked Bronny’s skill set and reportedly considered drafting him to create leverage in potentially luring LeBron to San Francisco.
Dallas Mavericks: GM Nico Harrison had a close “uncle-like” relationship with Bronny and was prepared to select him.
Phoenix Suns: Brought Bronny in for multiple workouts and were high on his defensive potential.
Ultimately, the Lakers made the pick. In October 2024, LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to share an NBA court – a historic milestone.
Bottom Line The rumor that LeBron “forced” the Lakers to draft Bronny lacks foundation. It was a proactive move by Buss and Pelinka to keep their superstar happy. Regardless of any internal tension, LeBron remains focused on the present – playing at an elite level in his 23rd season.
Lakers Nation – do you believe LeBron truly doesn’t care about the narratives, or is this a calculated response?