On Bronny James

We all better hope this is actually what Bronny wants.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to make history if/when LeBron James either opts into his player option or opts out and re-signs to the tune of three years, $150 million. He’ll play with his son, Bronny James, who was selected 55th overall on Thursday. Objectively speaking, that will be an incredible moment for LeBron. It probably will be an amazing moment for Bronny, too.

My concern (and to be clear, I don’t matter here) is that we just don’t know. We can’t know. Bronny hasn’t been able to speak to media since he arrived at USC last fall. Like most children whose parents run successful businesses, Bronny has access to some pretty great opportunities most people who leap for. But like most children who benefit from nepotism, it never really felt like he had a choice.

And to be absolutely clear, I don’t care about the nepotism. The pick was called into league offices by Rob Pelinka, who has the job he has because of his ties to Kobe Bryant. He’s teflon in that position because of his friendship with Jeanie Buss. Buss has the job she has because of her dad. The Lakers are as synonymous with nepotism and cronyism as they are with championships.

I also don’t care that the Lakers used the 55th pick in this draft to select Bronny. It’s the 55th pick. Come on.

I could not care less that Rich Paul reportedly threatened teams that Bronny would play in Australia if they selected him. That kind of thing happens all the time in the NBA. The Lakers benefitted from it when Austin Reaves was guided there by his agent and team.

Now, this move doesn’t come completely without risk. The Lakers seem destined to trade Jalen Hood-Schifino (a still-21-year old former first-round pick) in order to make room on the roster for Bronny. Paul is on the record saying his client won’t sign a two-way deal, so if the Lakers keep Bronny, it will cost a spot on a flawed roster. That needs to be pointed out, too.

My only problem is that, outside of social clips here and there, we simply cannot know what Bronny actually thinks about this. We’ve heard plenty from his dad about it. We know exactly how he feels, and it makes all the sense in the world.

Hell, if Bronny spoke publicly and said that he really wants all this, then cool. I would have zero problem with however this plays out. If both parties here, and especially Bronny, goes into this understanding the amount of vitriol coming his way if he doesn’t pan out, (as most 55th picks don’t) alright. But it’s coming.

The reaction on both sides of Bronny’s selection was also fascinating to watch.

On one side, you had people disingenuously decrying nepotism and the sanctity of any selection in the NBA draft.

On the other, you had Lakers fans screaming at anyone merely asking questions because they’re viewing this through their fandom.

“Of course Bronny wants to play in the NBA and for the Lakers specifically. I want it. I root for the Lakers. Shut up, idiots. You don’t know him.”

Yes, you’re right! I don’t know him! No one, outside his immediate circles, does. But at some point, now that Bronny is a professional basketball player, he will have to speak to media. He will have to answer questions publicly. LeBron has guided him to this point, but there’s no protecting him from the scrutiny.

Perhaps this is exactly what Bronny has wanted all along. Hopefully, it is and he makes good on the opportunity afforded to him by his father’s greatness. I, for one, am rooting like hell for both that reality on Bronny’s part and that outcome for everyone.

But if it isn’t, and he doesn’t live up to the impossible expectations demanded of him because of his father’s greatness, then those who guided him to this point and everyone who have enabled this process at every step deserves much greater criticism than yet another son who may want nothing other than to please his dad.