It’s long been an open secret that the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to appease LeBron James.
The aging superstar had made no secret about his desire to share the court with his son. In truth, LeBron would probably have changed teams if Bronny had been drafted elsewhere.
However, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, former Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss wasn’t impressed with the perceived lack of gratitude LeBron showed for bringing Bronny to the Lakers.
“When the Lakers drafted James’ son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture, but she felt that he wasn’t, people close to the team told ESPN,” Holmes reported. “That summer, as she discussed a new contract for James, Jeanie seemed more resigned to the fact that they’d have to do it — almost begrudgingly accepting that they’d take a massive PR hit by not doing so.”
Bronny has struggled since joining the Lakers, spending most of his time in the G League. He’s played in a total of 51 NBA games since being drafted. During those games, he’s averaging 1.9 points per night on an average of 6.8 minutes of playing time.
Jeanie Buss and LeBron James Had Issues
In the same article from Holmes, it was revealed that Buss was also unimpressed by James’ perceived lack of accountability. Those issues arose following the trade for Russell Westbrook and his struggles to make an impact with the team.
“The distance between Jeanie and James widened after the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in July 2021, people close to the team said. The team had made the trade in an effort to appease James, but the acquisition backfired in catastrophic fashion. L.A. went 33-49 and missed the playoffs, and James seemed to wash his hands of his role in the acquisition,” Holmes reported. “Jeanie privately bristled about what she felt was his lack of accountability and the way James would shift blame onto others after the Westbrook trade, the people said.”
Westbrook’s tenure with the Lakers is arguably the lowest point of his career. He clashed with fans. His role consistently changed, and he was ultimately traded by the franchise midway through his second season.
LeBron James Tipped To Leave Lakers
During a recent episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” DeMarcus Cousins suggested that LeBron could leave the Lakers this summer. As that is when his current $101 million contract expires.
“Do I feel like he finishes his career in LA? I don’t,” Cousins said. “My gut tells me he finishes in Cleveland. I think it just makes sense. That’s where his story starts, obviously that’s where he’s from. I think that’d be the first team to hang his jersey up. It just makes sense for him to end his career in Cleveland. ”
LeBron is 41 years old. His career has to come to an end at some point. However, if the chance to play one final season with the Cavaliers arises, it makes sense for him to take it. After all, a move back to his hometown team would complete a full-circle moment for the veteran superstar.
And, it would leave any fractured relationships within the Lakers franchise firmly behind him.
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