According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James, is expected to be chosen in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Lakers’ No. 55 choice was “observed by league sources at Bronny’s floor,” according to Woike.

The Lakers have previously “conducted a prоspect interview with Bronny,” according to Woike, which is partly the reason for this. James was spotted participating in a scrimmage at the 2024 NBA Scouting Combine alongside Lakers general manager Rоb Pelinka and his father.

After suffering a cardiac collapse and needing heart surgery last summer, James’ freshman season at USC was postponed and he eventually entered the 2024 NBA Draft.  After returning to play for the Trojans in December of that year, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25 games, six of which he started.

James does not appear in the 58 players mentioned in Jonathan Wasserman’s most recent 2024 NBA Mock Draft for Bleacher Report. James also used the NCAA transfer site to declare for the draft. Even though James has voiced uncertainty that a team would consider picking him purely to seek a link to the elder James, his familial tie could help place him on the board.

As to Woike’s report, multiple league officials have deliberated on selecting Bronny James in the first round with the aim of luring his father to join them in free agency. This might increase James’ draft position, particularly because LeBron James has the opportunity to decline his $51.4 million player option for the upcoming season by June 29 and become an unrestricted free agency this summer.