The 2024 NBA Draft saw Bronny James landing in Los Angeles to join the Lakers, a move that felt inevitable for months. While there was no official guarantee that LeBron James’ son would end up playing for his father’s team, the influence of Klutch Sports and the power of LeBron made it feel all but certain that Bronny would be wearing the iconic purple and gold. However, recent reports suggest that this father-son pairing may have only been made possible by an unexpected gesture from the Golden State Warriors.
Warriors Pass on Bronny to Respect LeBron
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors seriously considered drafting Bronny with their No. 52 pick. The Lakers, holding the 55th pick, seemed poised to land him, but the Warriors allegedly decided to pass on selecting Bronny out of respect for LeBron James. Sources indicated that the Warriors had a real interest in Bronny’s skills and saw value in drafting him—not just for his potential, but perhaps as a strategic move to entice LeBron to sign with them in the future as a free agent. Ultimately, the Warriors chose not to go that route, leaving Bronny for the Lakers.
A Gesture That Surprised Many
This decision not only raised eyebrows but also sparked some humorous commentary. “Leaking that you wanted to draft Bronny but couldn’t because you just respect LeBron so, so much is incredible,” commented a fan. It stands as one of the more entertaining leaks in recent NBA history, especially considering the Warriors’ contentious history with LeBron. After all, LeBron’s iconic 2016 NBA Finals performance is widely regarded as one of the defining moments of his career—and it came at the expense of the Warriors during their greatest collapse in franchise history.
The notion that, eight years later, the Warriors would go out of their way to avoid disrupting LeBron’s plans would likely seem far-fetched to any Warriors fan from 2016. Yet, that’s exactly what transpired.
LeBron-Warriors Links Continue to Grow
This isn’t the first time in recent months that connections between LeBron James and the Warriors have made headlines. Earlier in the year, reports surfaced that the Warriors had inquired about LeBron following the NBA trade deadline. LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the report, noting that while the interest was real, LeBron remained committed to the Lakers.
This level of respect between the two sides has only fueled speculation. For instance, there was a theory floated around the trade deadline that LeBron might take a pay cut to join the Warriors or another team. The possibility of LeBron playing alongside Steph Curry, especially given their bonding during the Olympics, doesn’t seem as outlandish as it once might have.
Bronny’s Future and Warriors’ Decision
Further intrigue surrounded Bronny’s potential draft destinations when reports emerged that Klutch Sports warned teams that Bronny would head to the NBL in Australia if anyone but the Lakers selected him. While this may have been an attempt to bluff, no team called it.
Ultimately, Bronny landed in L.A., and the Warriors’ decision to pass on him became the stuff of NBA lore. The move, intended to honor LeBron’s wishes, may prove comical if Bronny develops into a strong player. If that happens, the Warriors may well look back at their “super respectful” decision and wonder what could have been.