The Los Angeles Lakers did seal off the minutes marked ‘when’ in NBA history, in tattoo ink, with the 55th overall pick for Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft. The ramification of the choice goes way beyond the draft board; it’s at the juncture where legacy and talent meet family ties.

Bronny, the oldest son of LeBron James, inherits a lot from his great father’s career. LeBron, a four-time NBA champion and one of the greatest players ever to have played the game, always spoke about what it would feel like to play in the league with one of his sons. The dream is now closer to being as real as possible. They are the first father and son combination to ever play simultaneously in the NBA, and they became teammates with the Lakers.

After a pretty low-profile freshman year at USC, where he posted 4.8 points a game, Bronny remains an interesting prospect. Scouts have slotted him as more of a 3-and-D type player, comparable to the likes of De’Anthony Melton, whose defense many people have also compared to both Patrick Beverley and Jrue Holiday. ESPN’s post-combine mock draft had him included as a late second-round draft pick, but which team will be the one to take a chance on him? The Lakers, at their No. 17 and No. 55 picks, could keep him close enough to home. Or the Phoenix Suns at No. 22 might think they could squeeze potential out of adding him into their rotation. It becomes really interesting only if Bronny can share the court with his old man. Of course, if the Lakers do draft him, everything will fall into place for the first time—a father-son duo in the NBA. The Lakers, however, should tread cautiously while making their decisions, for the worry extends to the current roster and the goals the organization has in mind.

As Bronny steps onto the floor in purple and gold, the Lakers pin their hopes on a slice of NBA history. The spotlight is always on, and the anticipation crackles.