The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to select Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has ignited fierce debate, with critics arguing the team missed a golden opportunity to bolster their frontcourt with proven big men like Armando Bacot, N’Faly Dante, or Yaxel Lendeborg. While the historic father-son narrative of Bronny joining LeBron James captivated fans, the choice to prioritize the 6-foot-2 guard over more experienced centers has fueled claims of nepotism and poor roster management, with some calling the Lakers’ strategy “futile” and overly deferential to LeBron’s influence.
Bronny, coming off a freshman season at USC where he averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25 games, was a polarizing pick. His cardiac arrest in July 2023 delayed his college debut, and his stats—36.6% field goal percentage and 26.7% from three—reflected a player still developing. Meanwhile, Armando Bacot (6-10, 240 lbs, North Carolina), N’Faly Dante (6-11, 230 lbs, Oregon), and Yaxel Lendeborg (6-9½, 240 lbs, UAB) went undrafted despite impressive college resumes. Bacot, a two-time All-American, averaged 14.5 points and 10.3 rebounds as a senior, with 68 double-doubles in his career. Dante, a two-time All-Pac-12 center, posted 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds, shooting 69.5% from the field. Lendeborg, a versatile forward, led UAB with 13.8 points and 10.6 rebounds, earning All-AAC honors. These players’ size and production could have addressed the Lakers’ need for rim protection and rebounding alongside Anthony Davis.
Critics argue the Lakers’ $8 million investment in Bronny, including a guaranteed contract atypical for a late second-rounder, reflects a pattern of catering to LeBron, who opted into his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. The team’s first-round exit in 2024, despite a 50-32 record after acquiring Luka Dončić, underscores their struggles to build a championship-caliber roster. Posts on X have been scathing, with one user stating, “Lakers wasting picks on Bronny instead of bigs like Bacot or Dante is why they’re stuck in mediocrity.” The decision to bypass Bacot’s rebounding prowess, Dante’s defensive presence, or Lendeborg’s two-way potential has been labeled a missed opportunity to address frontcourt depth, especially after Jalen Hood-Schifino’s lackluster rookie season (109 minutes played).
However, defenders of the pick highlight the long-term potential and historic significance. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka called the father-son duo “magical,” and Bronny’s 3-and-D potential, showcased by a strong combine shooting display, suggests upside as a G League project. LeBron’s camp, led by agent Rich Paul, denied Bronny was a package deal, emphasizing his desire to carve his own path. Still, with LeBron’s influence looming and the team’s revamped development staff, the Lakers are betting on Bronny’s growth over immediate impact from undrafted bigs who signed elsewhere—Bacot with the Grizzlies, Dante with the Rockets, and Lendeborg with the Magic.
The Lakers’ choice reflects a high-stakes gamble: banking on Bronny’s potential and the allure of a father-son storyline versus the immediate contributions of proven big men. As the 2025-26 season looms, with new coach JJ Redick and Dončić alongside LeBron, the team’s inability to advance past the first round since 2020 fuels skepticism. Whether this decision proves visionary or a misstep in catering to “Lebum” will hinge on Bronny’s development—and whether the Lakers can finally build a roster to contend for a title.
