LeBron‘s dream of playing with his son might have hit a snag and now there might be some problems
With Bronny James now officially an NBA player, boasting a multi-year guaranteed contract, the spotlight on him is only going to intensify, especially given his position alongside his superstar father, LeBron James, on the Los Angeles Lakers.
The discourse around Bronny, LeBron, and the Lakers frequently touches on accusations of nepotism. Critics argue that the franchise overlooked other talented prospects to secure Bronny, who had a modest season with the USC Trojans in 2023/24. These allegations are unlikely to disappear soon, particularly with a seasoned sports executive continuing to voice such concerns.
Former MLB exec now bashes LeBron, the Lakers, and the NBA
David Samson, the former president of MLB’s Miami Marlins, didn’t hold back during Monday’s episode of “The Dan Le Batard Show.” Samson, who also hosts the “Nothing Personal” podcast, criticized the Lakers’ offseason strategy, accusing them of prioritizing LeBron James’ desires over sound decision-making.
“The Lakers are full of it,” Samson declared, pointing out that new head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James haven’t been transparent about their roles in drafting Bronny. “All LeBron had to do was be honest about his involvement with JJ Redick and the team’s operations. Instead, they pretend Bronny was drafted purely on talent.”
Samson took issue with Bronny’s four-year, $7.9 million contract (including $4.4 million guaranteed) before his Summer League debut, noting that such a commitment is unusual for a player picked 55th overall. He also criticized the Lakers for allegedly manipulating the NBA’s salary cap, considering LeBron’s recent two-year, $101.4 million extension alongside Bronny’s contract.
Cohost Domonique Foxworth quickly pointed out that David Samson had also benefited from nepotism, as his former stepfather, Jeffrey Loria, once owned the Marlins. Samson, however, insisted his main issue was with the Lakers’ lack of honesty about their intentions.
“There is no one buying that Bronny James got $7.9 million because of his ability,” Samson stated.
Despite Samson’s strong objections, it’s unlikely the NBA will investigate the Lakers for salary cap violations, especially when it involves the league’s most popular player, LeBron James. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement has no rules against teams drafting the children of current players or specifying contract limits for second-round picks. While skepticism remains, it’s now up to Bronny to prove that the Lakers drafted him for more than just his famous lineage.
