Lebron James Accused of Media Manipulation With Bronny’s Transfer Saga After Taking 180 Degree U-Turn From ESPN Outburst

Bronny James‘s situation in Los Angeles is currently a double jeopardy. On one hand, he has to face constant media scrutiny for his poor averages and failure to make the 2024 NBA draft. On the other, he faces direct comparisons to his father, LeBron James, due to the proximity of their teams. Earlier this season, LBJ himself, added fuel to that fire by posting on his socials that Bronny could probably play for the Lakers.

Later, however, after Bronny wasn’t in the Top 10 Draft picks of ESPN, James told the media to leave Bronny alone in a since-deleted tweet. Now, a rumor started circulating that the 6’2 USC Gaurd put his name in the NCAA transfer portal as a result of this pressure. Although the rumor isn’t legitimate, reporters still asked the Akron Hammer his two cents on it.

“Well, I don’t know where it came from, but at the end of the day, Bronnie is his own man. He has some tough decisions to make, and when he’s ready to make decisions, he’ll let us all know. But as his family, we’re going to support whatever,” the former MVP can be heard saying in an audio presented on the latest episode of the ‘Jason Smith Show.’

Following the instance, the show discusses this scenario and calls out LeBron for his shift in attitude. “I mean, I think he(LeBron James) realized that I can’t do the whole ‘hey, this is so unfair for a kid’ and the criticism to have. I think he realized when he put that out there about a month or two ago that he was overplaying his hand,” said the host. He further added,” You can’t run things that way. So, this is the exact 180-degree opposite of ‘oh hey, I don’t know where that came from, but yeah, he’s his own guy.'”

Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25 games following a cardiac arrest instance in July. With that, further decisions and options weigh heavily on the 20-year-old’s mind; more so, with LeBron’s exciting wish.

Did LeBron James’ Retirement comments pressurize Bronny further?

Bronny is currently facing scrutiny regarding his eligibility for the 2024 NBA draft. During the all-star break, James stated that the decision solely relies on his son’s stance. However, LeBron’s recent uncertainty about his NBA future might prompt Bronny to make a decision soon.

The Lakers possess a potential first-round pick and a second-round pick for the 2024 draft, providing the franchise with an opportunity to fulfill James’ aspirations. The same scenario applies to the 2025 NBA drafts. Nevertheless, if Bronny chooses to further develop his skills in college for another year, he risks missing out on playing alongside his father.

Although there isn’t a set timeline, recent comments from James (coupled with his performance) suggest he plans to dominate the NBA for at least a few more years. However, if Bronny delays his entry, it could lead to significant changes within the league. Teams might aim to draft the 19-year-old, hoping to capitalize on having James on their roster for at least one season.

Read More: LeBron James Voices Serious Health Concerns As Bronny James’ NCAA Choice Forces Him To Confront His Frustrations