Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka aren’t the only ones celebrating their decision to draft Bronny James with the No. 55 pick of the 2024 NBA draft.
NBA players joined in on congratulating LeBron and Bronny for getting the chance to become the first father-son duo in league history to play.
Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnson
Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers! This is a historic moment because LeBron and Bronny are the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time and on the same team. Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in… pic.twitter.com/jGRbGiD0n6
Chris Paul @CP3
Special!! Congrats, Bronny! https://t.co/C5dsQ2ZUZT
Zach LaVine @ZachLaVine
Imagine being able to play with your son! This is historic, having 2 boys my self I couldn’t image how that would feel 🫡
Dejounte Murray @DejounteMurray
BRON Getting To See His Son In The Same Jersey As Him Gotta Be The Biggest FLEX 💪🏽 Shoutout BRONNY!!!!!
Ja Morant @JaMorant
The Lakers drafted James following his freshman season at USC, during which he recovered from offseason heart surgery to average 4.8 points through 25 games.
Professional athletes from the NBA and NFL chimed in to express support of the Lakers’ draft decision:
Bones Hyland @BizzyBones11
I’m negl Bron & Bronny as teammates now is odee! Every Dad dreams of there son being in the league but to be on the same team, mannn they exceeded in life 🔥🔥🔥
Justise Winslow @IAmJustise
Couldn’t imagine teaming up with my son in the league. That’s a beautiful moment.
Dez Bryant @DezBryant
Dope as fuck! https://t.co/XlmsJohKeJ
Raheem Mostert @RMos_8Ball
A monumental moment in sports history! So dope! https://t.co/EhqtsEVAul
The Gilly Lock @BumpNrunGilm0re
This dope 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/69SfurRkFt
DJ Reed @D7_Reed
This is so dope.! https://t.co/0cVImmuOGu
D’Ernest Johnson @DernestJohnson2
That’s 🔥🔥 AF https://t.co/dxlLBZWFt7
Parris Campbell @PCampbell21
TOUGH!!! https://t.co/UZwr9Habwj
Chicago Bears EDGE Montez Sweat asked the question many fans were wondering:
The pick came after ESPN’s Bob Myers reported that James’ agent, Rich Paul, warned other teams not to draft the 19-year-old, seemingly with the goal of getting him to fall to the Lakers at No. 55.
Some athletes expressed support of Paul’s reported role in getting father and son on the same roster:
RJ @RjHampton14
You’d do it for your child too , so don’t hate https://t.co/u4vH0wV4tg
LeBron James has not yet made a decision on his $51.4 million player option for next season. But with Bronny headed to Los Angeles, and the Lakers reportedly willing to give the superstar a three-year maximum extension, it seems likely that the pair will get the chance to play together this fall.
