Lakers are expected to unveil their two new draft picks today.
At a news conference today at the team’s El Segundo training facility, the Los Angeles Lakers will formally announce their two newest members.
Following their selections in the 2024 NBA Draft last week, Bronny James, the son of NBA player LeBron James, and Dalton Knecht will be present for the introduction.
Following a stellar junior season in which he won First Team All-American, First Team All-SEC, and SEC Player of the Year awards, the Lakers selected 6-foot-6 guard/forward Knecht, 23, out of Tennessee, with the 17th overall choice. After joining the Volunteers from the University of Northern Colorado, he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
The Lakers selected Bronny James with the No. 55 pick in the second round of the draft, as was widely predicted of them after much conjecture. When the father-son team plays together on the floor this season—assuming LeBron re-signs with the Purple and Gold—they will become the first father-son team to do so in an NBA game.
Only 19 years old, Bronny played for the USC Trojans for one season before declaring for the draft. After having a heart attack during a practice in July of last year, he was forced to miss their first eight games.
He was still able to play for the Trojans for 25 games, scoring an average of 19.3 points, grabbing 2.8 rebounds, and dishing out 2.4 assists per game.
The Lakers announced that their new head coach JJ Redick, along with Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka, will be present. It’s still unknown if LeBron will attend.
“It feels like something that could be magical,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said following Bronny’s selection. “In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court.” “We understand and must respect LeBron’s choice to opt out, but if things worked out and he ended up joining our club the following season, NBA history might be made. In a Lakers uniform, too, NBA history ought to be made.”
LeBron and Bronny both posted on social media to share their excitement about potentially playing together on the court following the Lakers’ announcement of their selection.
Bronny wrote on Instagram, “Beyond blessed.”
“NO WORDS!!” was the caption on a picture that LeBron posted of Bronny wearing a Lakers jersey.
The Lakers’ YouTube account will host the conference, which is set to begin at 11 a.m.
