Another NBA franchise was considering taking Bronny James ahead of the Lakers in this year’s draft, according to an ESPN insider.
Many have criticized the Los Angeles Lakers for picking Bronny in the draft when seemingly nobody else was going to. They then gave him a 4-year, $7.9 million guaranteed contract. All after averaging just 4.8 points per game with USC this past season.
It’s very obvious what is going on.
But, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the younger James could have gone higher. The Golden State Warriors were reportedly interested in taking him three slots ahead of the Lakers.
“The Golden State Warriors, who had tried to trade for James last season, weighed whether to take Bronny at No. 52,” she reported. “The Warriors liked Bronny’s skill set and had him on their draft board, sources said.”
“Selecting him ahead of the Lakers, who held the 55th pick, would’ve been a shrewd move — perhaps even to entice James to sign there as a free agent.”
Warriors Considered Taking Bronny James?
Now, I can’t be the only one calling foul on this report. There may have been some initial thought by the Warriors to take Bronny James, but it was fleeting. And they weren’t seriously considering taking him on draft day.
How can I make such a bold declaration? Easy. Shelburne claims the Warriors liked Bronny’s “skill set”. Based on what? They didn’t hold a workout with him prior to the draft.
James famously declined workout invites from all but two teams prior to the draft. He turned down invitations from at least eight other teams, only showing for the Phoenix Suns and the Lakers.
He pretty much knew where he was going, a sign that the Lakers potentially tampered with a draft pick, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Where exactly did the Warriors see his “skill set” on display? Videotapes from his career at USC where he was barely worthy of being on the roster? Or maybe it was the NBA Summer League where his biggest contribution was in winning a video game contest?
RELATED: John Salley Defends Bronny James, Says the Haters Are Just ‘Mad They Didn’t Do It Themselves’
Didn’t Want To Upset LeBron James
The other part of this report that rings kind of bogus is the reason the ESPN insider provides for Golden State not pulling the trigger on Bronny James.
They did it because they’re a super-nice organization. Or something.
“Ultimately, sources said, the Warriors opted to respect the wishes James had made clear and the Lakers signaled they would grant,” they reported.
Yes, I’m sure an NBA team that didn’t make the playoffs, thought they could make a move that would lure one of the best basketball players of all time to their roster and improve their fortunes, opted to stand down because it was the right thing to do … for somebody else.
That’s not how the world works, people. At least not professional sports!
Los Angeles and the James family experiment to the detriment of fans face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first pre-season game tonight. They face the Warriors twice before the season starts.
Maybe then Golden State will finally get to see Bronny James’ skill set.
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