Lakers draft Bronny James.

Bronny James was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would play alongside his famed father LeBron James. 

The 19-year-old was selected 55th overall in the draft in New York on Thursday, following weeks of speculation about which team he might join. Four-time NBA champion LeBron James, 39, is likely approaching his final year of his career and could become a free agency this summer if he declines his $51.4 million (£40.6 million) player option when the window opens at the end of June. 

However, that probability is remote, given that the four-time NBA champion stated following the 2022 All-Star Game that his "last year will be played with my son". No father-son pair has ever played together.

"In the history of the NBA, there's never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical," said Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.

"We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out… but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform."

On Instagram, Bronny wrote "Beyond Blessed", while his father posted a series of pictures of the pair and the caption "Legacy".

Bronny completed his freshman year of college basketball with the University of Southern California Trojans, averaging 4.8 points and 2.1 assists per game. 

Unlike his father, who is 6ft 9in and is the NBA's all-time best scorer, youngster Bronny is 6ft 1in and prefers to play defense. Being the son of a four-time Most Valuable Player garners extra attention. Bronny has 7.7 million Instagram followers, and critics have been tracking his progress for years. Despite this, his journey has not been without challenges. Bronny suffered a cardiac attack in training last July and was only cleared to return to basketball in November, after being diagnosed with a congenital heart abnormality. 

Bronny James is not expected to play a major role for the Lakers in his rookie season, but the possibility of him appearing alongside his father is likely to garner plenty of attention.