Bronny James is a top-10 pick in ESPN’s 2024 NBA Mock Draft, which is not good for the Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has made one thing clear: He intends to play in the NBA alongside his son, Bronny James.

Bronny, who was on hand to witness his father break the NBA’s all-time scoring record earlier this month, is a senior in high school at Sierra Canyon in Southern California. The guard has still yet to decide where he will play basketball next season, but he is widely expected to choose between Ohio State, USC, and Oregon.

While some talent evaluators believe he may still be a few years away from playing in the NBA, his latest draft projection is fairly favorable (via ESPN):

“Some might be surprised to see James, ranked anywhere from 28 to 43 by the major recruiting services, as a potential top-10 pick. James has earned his spot in lottery conversations with the significant jump he has made at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California, this season, developing into arguably the best perimeter defender in his high school class while making strides in his perimeter shooting and playmaking ability.

As most of his peers have flatlined the past 12 to 18 months, James has grown, filled out his frame, found another gear with his explosiveness and become an absolute terror off the ball defensively thanks to his outstanding intensity and feel for the game. He still has plenty of room to improve his ballhandling and pull-up jumper to become a more prolific and efficient shot creator, but he has already caught the eyes of NBA decision-makers with the way he contributes to winning and likely will continue to grow and fill out his game.”

James looked impressive when we scouted him in person last year.

He is a defensive-minded connector who has already shown his NBA potential at the point guard position. Considering his high basketball IQ, hearing his name in the lottery would not be shocking.

While a top-10 selection would be good news for Bronny, this presents a massive problem for the Lakers: They owe their first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Pelicans as part of the trade for Anthony Davis.

The Pelicans have the option to defer the pick until 2025. But if it seems like Los Angeles is set to have a top-10 pick, New Orleans would be wise to take it while they can get it.

LeBron has a player option in his contract so he can team up with Bronny wherever his son is drafted. That means if the Lakers do not have a pick in a draftable range for Bronny, they risk losing LeBron in free agency.

Of course, the Lakers could do their best to trade up in order to get a pick where they can actually select Bronny. But that would require surrendering some valuable assets because lottery picks don’t come cheap, especially if LeBron is potentially attached.

Would it be smart for Los Angeles to trade up just so they can land Bronny?