Bronny James' entry into the NBA could renew a longstanding rivalry: This is our 'f*** you' moment

The 2023/24 NBA season has concluded, and all focus has shifted to the draft, which begins June 26 in New York City. The 2024 draft is not regarded as one of the strongest in recent memory, but there are plenty of fascinating prospects available -- including Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.

Bronny is a polarizing pro prospect, with a potential draft range encompassing approximately half of the 58 picks that will be made next week. Only two teams -- the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns -- appear to be seriously in the running for Bronny, while the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks could make a push for him, too. But one prominent basketball analyst believes Bronny is an opportunity that the newly-crowned NBA champions cannot pass up.

Bronny to the Celtics?!

On the newest episode of his self-titled podcast, Bill Simmons made the case for the NBA champion Boston Celtics to take Bronny with their 30th overall pick, at the end of the first round. And his reasoning is going to ruffle some feathers -- especially in Lakerland.

"Here's my case: everybody says this draft sucks. The Celtics are so deep (that) anyone in this draft isn't going to play for them," Simmons said. "Why not take Bronny and you basically hold him hostage? Because all these other teams want him, right?"

Simmons argued that the Celtics could feasibly demand assets in return if the Lakers, Suns, or Mavericks want him badly enough -- which would put Boston in an advantageous position to defend its title.

"The Lakers, you want him? Well we took Bronny, give us Max Christie," Simmons continued. "How bad do you want him? I would say Bronny the asset at 30 as a trade thing is worth more than anyone they could get here."

Simmons then cited a local icon -- Ben Affleck -- to further bolster his case, whether it is based in any reality or not.

"This is our 'f*** you' moment. This is Ben Affleck saying, 'I just won for Argo, I'm going to be Batman.' We have the title won, now we're taking Bronny James! LeBron beat us in our last four playoff series against him, we're taking your son!'"

Celtics executive Brad Stevens may or may not have been tuning in, but one thing seems certain: Bronny is inspiring significant discourse even before he's played a single minute in the NBA.