Amid Accusations of Nepotism, Dwyane Wade, Lala Anthony, Magic Johnson and More Congratulate Bronny James on Lakers Draft

The second round of the NBA draft has never had this much precedence. Everyone waited for the no.55 selection with bated breaths. As anticipated, the Lakers used their second round pick to snatch Bronny James. If LeBron James declines his player option by the deadline this week, they’d be suiting up in purple and gold together the next season. The reactions to the first father-son duo in the NBA were instantaneous. On one hand, some social media users brought up the nepotism trolling. But Lakers legends, LeBron’s closest friends, and others roll out the red carpet.

Leading the charge was the guy who breathes purple and gold, the league’s representative hypeman himself, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. He’s ever happy to welcome the new faces into the Lakers organization. He wrote on X, “Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers! This is a historic moment because LeBron and Bronny are the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time and on the same team. Watching Bronny suit up for the @Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!”

Must-see TV indeed! LeBron and Bronny have made history as the first father-son duo in the league. The Lakers used their first round pick to select Dalton Knecht 17th overall. The Tennessee guard caught both Bron and Magic’s attention during the Elite Eight this NCAA Tournament. Both could possibly make their debut in the summer league. Meanwhile, the Lakers still await LeBron’s decision on his $51.4 million player option.

All signs point to LeBron staying with the Lakers. He’s been expressive about being his son’s teammate before and an NBA dad in general. Something he shared with his best friends, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. Both couldn’t contain their eagerness to watch Bronny play in the league.

D-Wade commented on the new father-son duo of the NBA, “One of the dopest moments in our sport! Congrats, Bronny!” Melo’s ex-wife, La La Anthony wrote on her Stories, “Congratulations @bronny… soooo proud of u!” Even their son, Kiyan Anthony shared his excitement to see Bronny and Bron on the same team. On behalf of the O’Neals, Gators-bound Me’Arah O’Neal shared several posts congratulating Bronny too. And they weren’t the only ones ecstatic.

Bronny’s arrival could bury a feud

Kendrick Perkins had seemingly made an enemy out of the James family because he wants them to lie low and not hog the spotlight. LeBron unfollowed him on X after his repeated criticism but Perk chose that platform to congratulate Bronny. And he also wondered aloud how that father-son Nike commercial is going to look.

Someone who LeBron does appreciate would be Dwight Howard, who was instrumental leading the Lakers to their most recent championship. DH12 is hyped for the new Lakers additions, including his former teammate JJ Redick as coach. He’s emphatically dubbed them, “Big 4 ! Bronny, Bron, AD , & JJ.”

Some within the NBA community have already dubbed Bronny the face of nepotism. While they think LeBron would make excuses for him, Gilbert Arenas chose a meme to congratulate Bronny. “LeBron waking Bronny up for the first day of Lakers training camp,” he wrote over a gif of Ghost waking up Tariq at gunpoint in Power. 

Trolls’ opinions don’t align with the NBA stars themselves. They’re hyped for this duo.