Not so fast.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James in the second round of the NBA Draft on Thursday, and it appears that agent Rich Paul played a significant role in orchestrating this outcome.
During ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage, former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers revealed that Paul had been actively contacting teams throughout the second round, cautioning them against selecting Bronny.
Paul reportedly warned that if any team other than the Lakers picked Bronny, he would send the young player to Australia.
“Rich Paul is calling teams, telling them, ‘Don’t take Bronny James. If you take him, he’s going to Australia,'” Myers said. “So he has a plan, and he has a place.”
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It seems clear that Paul did not issue this warning to the Lakers, who eventually chose Bronny.
The implication is that Paul’s strategy was to deter every other team from picking Bronny, ensuring he would still be available when the Lakers made their selection at No. 55.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Paul was selective about which teams Bronny worked out for and maintained a firm stance on contract demands.
This approach suggests that he may have been working to maneuver Bronny towards the Lakers all along.
If this was indeed Paul’s plan, it appears to have succeeded. The Lakers secured Bronny, and Paul’s tactics ensured that no other team interfered with this outcome.
Whether Paul’s threats were genuine or a strategic maneuver, his influence on Bronny’s draft journey was undeniable.
