Bronny James teaming up with his father, LeBron, on the Lakers has proved to be a heartwarming storyline for many NBA fans, but former star DeMarcus Cousins has blasted the franchise’s decision to draft the ex-USC guard.
Bronny, after recovering from a cardiac arrest in the summer of 2023, had an underwhelming lone year of college basketball but was still selected by his dad’s Lakers with the No. 55 overall pick.
And while Cousins, a four-time All-Star with the Kings, admitted that the father and son playing together is ‘a beautiful thing,’ he also thinks it sends the wrong message after a season in which the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs.
‘I take it as a move as, I don’t really think the Lakers are serious anymore,’ he said on FanDuel TV’s Run it Back.
‘I love everything that it stands for, I think what Bron is doing with his legacy and just as a businessman and everything that comes with that, I think it’s a beautiful thing. I think it’s really really dope.
LeBron James and son Bronny James shared the court for the first time together on Oct. 6
But former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins believes that the two teaming up shows the Lakers aren’t ‘serious’ about winnning
‘But as far as the Lakers actually competing. I don’t know. I take that as a sign that they aren’t really serious. With the way their season ended last year with the high expectations, I expected more from them as far as making moves.’
The Lakers, with James Sr., Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, were ousted in the first round of the playoffs last year by the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
But to Perkins’ point, the roster looks mostly the same this season despite that result, with the big change being J.J. Redick replacing Darvin Ham as head coach.
The Lakers will also hope for some instant production from rookie Dalton Knecht, who was taken No. 17 overall, though Bronny proves to be more of a developmental project.
Bronny averaged just 4.8 points per game in his lone season at USC before being drafted
The Lakers used the 55th overall pick on Bronny to make him and his dad LeBron teammates
In four games of preseason action, he’s gone just 2-16 from the field (0-7 from three) and has averaged just one point per game.
Redick has also indicated previously that James will spend time in the G League.
Notably, Bronny signed four-year, $7.9million deal with a team option of the fourth year with the Lakers – the second-largest contract ever for a second-round draft pick.
He and James Sr. shared the court together for the first time earlier this month, though it remains to be seen how often that happens in the regular season.
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