ESPN: Lakers Prefer to Use 2024 1st-Round NBA Draft Pick for Trade, Not Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers hold the No. 17 and No. 55 overall picks in the 2024 NBA draft, which has caused speculation about whether the team would select USC guard Bronny James to join his father, superstar LeBron James.

On Wednesday, sportscaster Rich Eisen chatted with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, who mentioned the team's desire to have James retire in purple and gold someday.

Eisen later asked if "giving LeBron James what he wants" meant drafting his eldest son, which McMenamin largely shot down (17:20 mark).

"I don't think so," McMenamin said. "So you look at the Lakers, they have the No. 17 pick in the first round, the No. 55 pick in the second round. If Bronny James stays in the NBA draft, he's not going to be drafted in the range of 17, and he's going to be off the board by 55.

"And with the value of that 17 pick—the true value, I should say—being a potential trade asset for the Lakers being able to move three first-round picks on draft night potentially to acquire a big name ready to perform. Someone on the level of a Dejounte Murray or a Trae Young or a Donovan Mitchell. That pick will certainly not be used on anyone if they had their druthers, and it wouldn't be used on Bronny James.

"And quite frankly, if you listen to LeBron's messaging really over about the last year-and-a-half, it hasn't been, 'I need to play with my son.' It's, 'I need to share the NBA court with my son.' And that can happen as opponents."

James has simultaneously declared for the NBA draft and entered the NCAA transfer portal. He can remove his name for draft consideration by the early entrant withdrawal deadline of June 16 at 5 p.m. ET.

James is one of 78 players invited to the NBA Scouting Combine, which takes place from May 12-19 in Chicago. The week will give James a great chance to raise his profile with the draft rapidly approaching on June 26-27 in Brooklyn.

McMenamin implied that Bronny wouldn't be available by the end of the second round where the Lakers are picking. If the Lakers really want to draft him, they'd likely have to trade up or use their No. 17 pick to get him.

However, the Lakers don't appear to be doing the latter. Jovan Buha of The Athletic notably reported in late March that the team would go hunting for a "third star," and the first-round pick would be a huge asset in getting such a player.

McMenamin mentioned Atlanta Hawks guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray as potential targets. Getting either player could be a distinct possibility, especially with the team needing to find a new direction after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.