As it turns out, one of the 2024 NBA Draft’s biggest surprises and most notable decisions came from the Golden State Warriors.
But it was a decision of who not to draft, instead of the opposite. The Warriors chose to pass on drafting Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, despite having a clear interest in the young prospect.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors had Bronny James firmly on their draft board and admired his skill set. The team was seriously considering selecting Bronny ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, who held the 55th pick. It would have been a strategic move for the Warriors, potentially enticing LeBron James to consider joining Golden State as a free agent.
However, the Warriors ultimately decided to respect LeBron’s well-documented wish to play alongside his son in the NBA. Shelburne reported,
“The Warriors liked Bronny’s skill set and had him on their draft board, sources said. Selecting him ahead of the Lakers, who held the 55th pick, would’ve been a shrewd move — perhaps even to entice James to sign there as a free agent. But ultimately, sources said, the Warriors opted to respect the wishes James had made clear and the Lakers signaled they would grant.”
LeBron James has been vocal about his dream of sharing the court with his son, and the Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny with the 55th overall pick made that dream a reality.
For the Warriors, the decision to pass on Bronny was about honoring LeBron’s wishes and respecting the significance of the moment for the James family.
