Coach JJ Redick opens up about Lakers drafting Bronny James

New Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Reddick does not want to hear about how second-round pick Bronny James was "given" anything.

He made that point very clear on Tuesday when James, the 55th overall pick in the draft and the son of LeBron James, thanked Reddick and the Lakers front office for everything they have given him.

"Rob and I did not give Bronny anything," said Reddick on Tuesday as the team introduced James and first-round pick Dalton Knecht. "Bronny has earned this. ... Bronny has earned this through hard work."

James is perhaps the most talked-about — and controversial — second-round pick in recent NBA memory due to him being the son of an all-time great. While James is a promising talent and was a highly sought-after recruit going into college, there was not much from his career at USC to suggest he would have been drafted if not for the presence of his dad. At least not this season.

In the years leading up to the 2024 draft, it had long been speculated that James would like the opportunity to play in the NBA with his son, and the No. 55 pick seemed like the obvious spot for them to take him. The Lakers wasted little time in doing so when they were on the clock.

While there is no question James has put in the work, it's hard to take the Lakers seriously when they pretend the father-son relationship didn't play a role in the pick. And it's hard to overlook the power that LeBron has within the Lakers organization right now. Not only after selecting his son in the draft, but also given the hiring of Reddick — who had previously done a podcast with James — as the team's head coach despite the fact he has no actual coaching experience.

The Lakers went 47-35 during the 2023-24 season and finished as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.