Lakers News: Former LeBron James Rival Annihilates Bronny Draft Pick

This league journeyman has some thoughts.

Jul 6, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James Jr. (9) take s selfie with a fan after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James will be playing alongside his son, former USC Trojans combo guard Bronny James, on the hardwood next year for L.A. in a slice of league history. No other father-son duo has ever shared an NBA court. The 39-year-old LeBron suiting up next to the 19-year-old Bronny will change that this fall.

Not everyone is a fan of the Lakers' decision to select Bronny with the No. 55 pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, however, as his on-court output as an offensively inefficient bench guard on a 15-18 Trojans team may not have normally warranted his selection in the draft this year.

Steven Hunter, a 7-foot journeyman center out of DePaul who played from 2001-10 in the league (and in 2011 abroad), weighed in on his Instagram account, @s_dot45. The account itself is private, but L.A. Clippers fan @Jacobtheclipper screen-grabbed Hunter's aggrieved post.

Former NBA player Steven Hunter posted his outrage on Instagram that LeBron is abusing his power to force Bronny into the league. He says MJ could have done the same thing if he wanted to with his son but he didn’t because, “MJ stands on earned and not given” 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sBQO6pE8bX

— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) July 9, 2024

"For those that don't know... Late second round picks don't get guarantees," Hunter noted. "Typically late second round picks don't get 4 year guaranteed roster spot deals either. This wasn't earned I'm sorry... And it's an egregious abuse of power from LBJ & [Klutch Sports CEO and Bronny and LeBron's agent] Rich Paul. It's a slap in the face to all of the kids out there who work their asses off to to get to the league. It's sneaky [Hollywood stuff] like this that turns a lot of people off about LeBron." 

"Not taking anything away from Bronny nor am I upset at Bronny," Hunter wrote. "Just know that this is a manipulation of our league and the integrity of what it truly takes to get there."

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