Lakers formally welcome Bronny James and Dalton Knecht onto the team
The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed their two newest members during a news conference Tuesday at the team's training center in El Segundo.
Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, son of NBA star LeBron James, spoke alongside general manager Rob Pelinka and recently hired coach JJ Redick after being selected in the 2024 NBA Draft last week. The younger James was asked by several reporters about how his father's career relates to his own entrance into the league while Knecht faced questions about joining the Lakers at No. 17 after being projected to make the Top 10.
The Lakers took Knecht, a 23-year-old guard/forward who stands 6-foot-6, out of Tennessee with the No. 17 overall pick after a stellar junior season which saw him take home First Team All-American, First Team All-SEC and SEC Player of the Year honors. He averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for the Volunteers after transferring from the University of Northern Colorado.
Pelinka has described Knecht as a highly sought-after player for the LA team. Redick said Knecht's size and skill as a movement shooter made him perfect for the Lakers.
"We didn't think Dalton would be available at 17," Redick said. "He provides something that we just don't have."
In the second round of the draft and after much speculation, the Lakers did what everyone expected them to do, selecting Bronny James with the No. 55 pick. Once the father-son duo finally take the court together this season, barring injuries and assuming LeBron re-signs with the Purple and Gold, they will become the first ever to do so in an NBA game.
Bronny, just 19, spent one season with the USC Trojans before entering the draft. He was forced to miss their first eight games after suffering a heart attack during a practice session in July last year. He said Tuesday he hopes to show what he's capable of now that he's on an NBA team.
"The time I had off (at USC), I feel like I could've been perfecting my game more," Bronny said. "I feel like I've been given an opportunity to showcase what I can really do."
With the Trojans, he played 25 games and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.
In the past, he has said he's looking to forge his own path. On Tuesday, he repeated that sentiment, saying that playing alongside his famous dad hasn't been a particular goal of his.
"I just want to come in and get my work in and get better everyday," Bronny said. "I never had a thought about me going to play with my dad."
The 19-year-old said he plans to take his father's advice about work ethic and listening to coaches. But when one reporter asked if he feels like there's been any advantage to growing up with a four-time NBA champion as his dad, and how he may use anything he's learned from LeBron as he enters the league, Bronny said he's still waiting to see how things go.
"I had my own basketball stuff going so I wasn't really in my dad's pocket all day following him around the Lakers facility," he told reporters. "I don't know exactly what is to come."
At one point, Knecht was asked about being selected with the No. 17 pick following projections he would get drafted earlier.
"I'm just excited to be here in the right place... and go out and compete," Knecht said.
As Pelinka introduced the new players Tuesday, he said both possess attributes the LA team looks for.
"These are two men of high character and hard work ethic. Those are the qualities we look for at the Lakers when we draft players," Pelinka said. "It's a testament to how Bronny was raised by LeBron and Savannah, and how Dalton was raised by Carrie and Corey."
LeBron and his son will make history as the first father-son duo in the history of the NBA if he signs on with the Lakers as expected. It's a move that's faced criticism from some and praise from others, including Pelinka who has described it as "magical."
"In the history of the NBA, there's never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical," Pelinka said after Bronny's selection. "We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out ... but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform."
LeBron and Bronny both took to social media after the Lakers announced their pick to express their joy over the prospect of being able to hit the hardwood together.
"Beyond blessed," Bronny said in an Instagram post.
LeBron shared a photo of Bronny with a Lakers jersey that had the caption "NO WORDS!!"
