Former NBA Champion Makes His Feelings About Bronny James Crystal Clear

The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny James was one of the more controversial moves of the NBA offseason.

Most opposed the move while some understood why it was done, but someone who is fully in support of LeBron James’ son joining his dad in L.A. is former NBA champion and “Inside the NBA” host Kenny Smith.

During a recent interview with RG.org , Smith made a case why Bronny could end up being an underrated value pick for the Lakers a few years down the road.

“I think as the 55th pick he deserved that,” Smith said. “That means that when you're in that second round, we're waiting on you, we're waiting for you to develop. That's what that really means. And he's one of those players who is a McDonald's All-American, he was one of the top guards in his class as a freshman, that's what they're waiting on.

"The same kid who played with him at USC, Isaiah Collier, was drafted in the first round. He didn't have a great year either in terms of USC basketball. We're waiting on him, we're waiting on Bronny.”

Smith also pointed out that Bronny hasn’t had any semblance of a normalcy at USC or during the NBA Summer League after he suffered a cardiac arrest before the NCAA season brought on by his congenital heart defect.

Bronny will start the 2024 NBA season in the G League, where the pressure will be off him to immediately be a star while sharing a court with his father.

Related: Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Makes Bold Statement About Bronny James