Lakers Draft Bronny James in Historic Move, Sparking Controversy and NBA Betting Interest

Los Angeles, California United States of America
Bronny expected to sign multiyear fully guaranteed rookie contract
Bronny's drafting generates interest in NBA betting markets
Despite less than five points per game at USC last year and not starting for Trojans, Bronny selected by Lakers
Historic moment as possibility of first father-son duo in NBA history
Lakers roster includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and others
LeBron James, father of Bronny, opted out of player option and expected to re-sign with Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers draft Bronny James in second round of 2024 NBA draft
Lakers Draft Bronny James in Historic Move, Sparking Controversy and NBA Betting Interest

In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers have drafted Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. According to multiple reports, Bronny is expected to sign a multiyear fully guaranteed rookie contract with the team.

Bronny's selection comes after his father opted out of his $51.4 million player option for the coming season and is widely expected to re-sign with the Lakers on a new deal. LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, will turn 40 in December and is set to begin his record-tying 22nd season in the league.

Despite averaging less than five points per game at USC last year and not starting for the Trojans, Bronny was selected by the Lakers. The team's decision has sparked controversy among fans and critics, with some questioning whether he deserves a spot on the roster based on his college performance alone.

Despite this, Bronny's drafting marks a historic moment for the NBA as it sets up the possibility of having the first father-son duo in league history. The Lakers are expected to finalize Bronny's contract quickly, allowing him to join his father and potentially learn from him during his professional career.

The Lakers' decision to draft Bronny has also generated interest in NBA betting markets, with BetMGM opening odds on him being the No. 1 pick before the draft despite his long shot status. However, bets on Bronny outnumbered those on any other player at the sportsbook.

The Lakers' roster currently includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and a number of other notable players. It remains to be seen how Bronny will fit into the team's plans and whether he can make an impact in his first season.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Bronny's college performance did not warrant a first-round pick, let alone a second-round pick by the Lakers
  • The Lakers' decision to draft Bronny may be influenced by his famous father rather than his basketball abilities

Sources

92%

  • Unique Points
    • The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Bronny James to a multi-year guaranteed contract.
    • Bronny James was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.
    • Bronny James is expected to team up with his father, LeBron James, on the Lakers.
  • Accuracy
    • ]The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Bronny James to a multi-year guaranteed contract.[
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Bronny James was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and will sign a multiyear fully guaranteed rookie contract.
    • Bronny James was selected as a developmental prospect in Los Angeles, giving him an opportunity to potentially become a key piece for the franchise’s future.
  • Accuracy
    • Bronny James was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.
    • LeBron James is expected to fetch the max contract from the Lakers instead of taking a pay cut to add free agents.
    • The Lakers missed out on signing Klay Thompson in free agency.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

  • Unique Points
    • LeBron James intends to sign a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers
    • James will not opt into his $51.4 million contract for the coming season
    • The decision was made on June 29, 2024
    • LeBron James is expected to finalize the new deal quickly
    • At least $1.2 billion in contracts have already been agreed upon ahead of the NBA’s free agency period which opens on July 6, 2024
    • Toronto’s Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, and New York’s OG Anunoby have already agreed to deals that cannot be finalized until the new league year opens on July 6
    • LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion
    • James will turn 40 in December and will tie Vince Carter for most seasons played in NBA history with the 2024-25 campaign being his 22nd season
    • Last season, James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists
  • Accuracy
    • ]LeBron James intends to sign a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers[
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

83%

  • Unique Points
    • BetMGM opened Bronny James as a 200-1 long shot to be the first pick in the NBA draft.
    • Bets on Bronny to be the top pick outnumbered bets on any other player at BetMGM before the draft.
  • Accuracy
    • Halvor Egeland, senior trader for BetMGM, was surprised by the number of bets on Bronny to be the first pick.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (80%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

71%

  • Unique Points
    • The Lakers used a second-round pick on Bronny James
    • Bronny James averaged less than five points a game at USC last year and didn’t start
  • Accuracy
    • ]The Lakers used a second-round pick on Bronny James[
  • Deception (10%)
    The author expresses their opinion that the Lakers drafting Bronny James is a terrible move without providing any factual evidence to support their claim. They also make assumptions about Bronny James' abilities based on his performance in high school and college, which is not a reliable indicator of NBA potential.
    • I feel sorry for Bronny James. His dad did him no favors.
    • So not only have the Lakers wasted a second-round pick on Bronny, but more important, these actions will potentially cost a deserving youngster a valuable spot in a very limited NBA players pool.
    • Think Doc and Austin Rivers. Terrible move for Bronny and the Lakers.
    • What if other players think he gets more playing time than he deserves because he’s LeBron’s son or takes one of their jobs?
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes several appeals to emotion and authority in the article. They express their feelings of pity for Bronny James and shame on the Lakers organization. They also make assumptions about other players' thoughts and motivations, which is an example of a hasty generalization fallacy.
    • I feel sorry for Bronny James.
    • What if other players think he gets more playing time than he deserves because he’s LeBron’s son or takes one of their jobs?
    • Shame on Jeanie Buss, shame on Rob Pelinka and shame on the Lakers organization for selling their soul to team James.
    • So not only have the Lakers wasted a second-round pick on Bronny, but more important, these actions will potentially cost a deserving youngster a valuable spot in a very limited NBA players pool.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication