Report: Warriors didn’t draft Bronny to ‘respect’ LeBron’s wishes originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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It appears the Warriors did their Southern California neighbors some good in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Golden State’s final pick in the recent draft came in at No. 52, three picks ahead of Los Angeles’ final pick. With Bronny James, son of LeBron James still on the board when the Warriors were on the clock, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and Co. asked the 19-year-old guard to “respect the wishes” of the elder James, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported, citing sources.
The Warriors liked Bronny’s skills and put him on their draft board, Shelburne added, but ultimately chose to take a different route in editorial of the center of 7 feet Quinten Post.
NBA history was made when the Lakers drafted Bronny, marking the first time a father and son were in the league at the same time.
“It means everything to (LeBron),” Lakers star center Anthony Davis said after training camp this week. “I mean, no one has ever had the chance to play with their son. So it’s a different level of joy and appreciation. No one has ever done that.”
Bronny enters the league after a tumultuous first year at USC. A few months before the start of his college career, Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest during a July 2023 practice at USC’s Galen Center. He was hospitalized and later diagnosed with A congenital heart defectthe probable cause of his cardiac arrest.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game over 25 games. He shot just 36.6 percent from the floor and 26.7 percent from 3-point range (60 total attempts) and 67.6 percent from the free throw line (34 total attempts).
And while there are plenty of questions about his NBA production, it will be a special sight when the James duo play on an NBA court together during the 2024-25 season — and for that the Warriors can partly be grateful .
