Rich Paul: Bronny James ‘Deserves to Be’ in NBA with LeBron, Lakers After 2024 Draft

Julia StumbaughJune 29, 2024

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

Bronny James’ agent Rich Paul believes his client has earned the shot to play in the NBA regardless of the fact that he is the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

“He’s got just as much to prove as anybody that was drafted with him Thursday,” Paul told TMZ Sports.

Paul added: “He deserves to be in the NBA.”

The Lakers drafted 19-year-old James with the No. 55 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft following his freshman season at USC.

James made his comeback from offseason heart surgery in December to average 4.8 points in 25 games, mostly off the bench.

James’ agent did not answer a question from TMZ Sports regarding a report from ESPN’s Bob Myers that Paul had called other teams and warned them not to draft James, in the apparent hope that would allow the 19-year-old to fall to the Lakers at No. 55.

That strategy is set to pay off, as Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium said on the Pat McAfee Show Wednesday that James is expected to receive a multi-year, one-way contract.

LeBron James has yet to officially commit to playing another season with the Lakers, as it looks like his $51.4 million player option decision could come down to the Saturday deadline.

Whether he takes the option or enters free agency, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the older James will return to Los Angeles now that he has the chance to become the first father to play with his son in NBA history.

With Bronny set to make his NBA debut and first-year head coach J.J. Redick, formerly the co-host of James’ podcast, directing things from the sideline, the Lakers’ connections to their superstar are stronger than ever as the team heads into the 2024-25 season.