Warriors honored LeBron James' wishes and opted not to draft his son Bronny James despite interest
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: On the second day of the NBA draft on June 28, the basketball world buzzed with anticipation.
Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, was eligible for selection, and many teams viewed drafting him as a potential avenue to also acquire his legendary father.
However, despite the prospect of such an enticing scenario, the Golden State Warriors ultimately chose not to draft Bronny, out of respect for LeBron’s wishes and influence, as per The Sporting News.
Golden State Warriors reportedly had Bronny James on their draft board
As other teams considered the pros and cons of selecting Bronny James, the Warriors appeared to be the most likely to make a move.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors included Bronny on their draft board, showing interest despite never having seen him in an official team workout.
Bronny had only participated in workouts with the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that ultimately selected him.
What stood out to the Warriors was Bronny's performance during the draft combine. His shooting accuracy and defensive intensity made a strong impression, prompting them to seriously consider adding him to their roster.
Yet, there was more to their decision than just skill evaluation.
For Golden State, selecting Bronny could have been more than just securing a talented young player.
In a strategic sense, it could have laid the groundwork for a potential LeBron acquisition down the line. LeBron has publicly expressed his desire to eventually play with his son in the NBA, a dream that has been widely reported and speculated upon.
Drafting Bronny might have given the Warriors leverage to make that dream come true, especially since LeBron's career timeline is closely aligned with Bronny's NBA prospects.
Golden State Warriors keenly aware of LeBron James' influence over Bronny's career choices
LeBron James' influence over Bronny James' career choices and future has been clear, and the Warriors were keenly aware of this dynamic.
Their previous effort to attract LeBron to their franchise had already encountered a setback. In the prior season, Golden State made a bold attempt to acquire LeBron at the trade deadline.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob, acting on the advice of LeBron's close friend and Warriors player Draymond Green, contacted LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, to discuss a potential trade deal.
However, the proposition was promptly declined, leaving the Warriors to reconsider their future strategies.
Had the Warriors successfully drafted Bronny, it could have opened up an opportunity to convince LeBron to eventually make his way to the Bay Area, fulfilling his wish to play alongside his son.
The Warriors recognized the significance of such a decision. Ultimately, they chose to act in good faith and respect LeBron's wishes by opting not to draft Bronny, despite holding the 52nd overall pick.
According to Shelburne, the Warriors weighed the situation carefully. "They couldn’t act cruelly," she reported, referring to how the team ultimately decided to respect LeBron’s influence over his son’s career.
The Warriors' decision was influenced not only by basketball considerations but also by the longstanding relationships between LeBron, his agent Rich Paul, and the Golden State organization.
