Bronny James continues to be the talk of the NBA draft.
Bronny James, despite being a highly anticipated prospect, did not hear his name called in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft—a scenario that many had predicted given the intense scrutiny surrounding his draft status.
The expectation, however, remains high that he will be selected in the second round, particularly with the Los Angeles Lakers holding the No. 55 overall pick, a prospect that many Lakers fans and analysts are eagerly awaiting.
Yet, an intriguing suggestion has emerged from ESPN analyst Legler, who proposed a dramatic twist on ESPN’s “First Take.” He suggested that the Boston Celtics, who hold the preceding No. 54 pick, could draft Bronny James and essentially hold him “ransom” to leverage a favorable trade with the Lakers. Legler drew on the historic rivalry between the two franchises, imagining a scenario reminiscent of a dramatic film plot: “You know who picks 54th? Boston. So, I like movies. I like true crime, stuff like that. I’m just saying: 54th pick we renew the ‘Cold War’ between the Celtics and the Lakers. The Boston Celtics take Bronny James and they send a ransom note to the Lakers [saying], ‘We have your son. We have your son. If you want him back, it’s gonna take Austin Reaves.”
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This bold strategy was echoed by Celtics superfan Bill Simmons earlier in the week.
Simmons pointed out the depth of the Celtics roster and the unlikely chance that any draft pick at this stage would see significant playing time. “Here’s my case: everybody says this draft sucks. The Celtics are so deep… anyone in this draft isn’t going to play for them. Why not take Bronny and you basically hold him hostage?” He further elaborated on the potential trade implications: “Because all these other teams want him, right?.. The Lakers, you want him? Well, we took Bronny, give us Max Christie. How bad do you want him? I would say Bronny the asset at 30 as a trade thing is worth more than anyone they could get here.”
The strategic move of drafting Bronny James not only taps into the competitive spirit between these storied franchises but also tests the Lakers’ desire and determination to bring Bronny to Los Angeles.
This storyline adds another layer of intrigue to the draft and poses a significant question: Should the Celtics execute such a strategy, and if so, how much are the Lakers willing to negotiate to secure LeBron James’ son?
The answer to this could reshape discussions around draft strategy and rivalries in the NBA for years to come.
