Rumors continue to swirl around the Los Angeles Lakers as the franchise’s future plans remain in flux. It has been more than a month since the Lakers‘ 2023/24 season ended, and in that time, Los Angeles has moved on from head coach Darvin Ham while hoping to convince superstar LeBron James to re-sign on new terms in free agency.

Of course, overshadowing the Lakers‘ plans for next season and beyond is the looming figure of LeBron‘s son Bronny. Expectation is growing that the younger James will be selected at some point in the 2024 NBA Draft — and the Lakers appear to be positioning themselves to take the 19-year-old thanks to strategic decisions their front office is making.

Bronny more likely to join the Lakers?

NBA insider Shams Charania has reported that the Lakers’ top choice to replace Ham remains J.J. Redick — who has no NBA coaching experience but does have a podcast with LeBron. That close relationship with LeBron tilts the scales in Redick‘s favor, with people around the Lakers describing as a “new Pat Riley” with respect to his potential contributions to the franchise.

The Lakers would take a big step toward appeasing LeBron and assuaging his concerns about championship contention by hiring Redick — and the news that the ESPN analyst’s arrival is close to being finalized has led to increasing speculation that Los Angeles’ next move will be to select Bronny at the upcoming draft.

The Lakers hold two picks in the 2024 draft: the 17th overall selection and the 55th overall selection. The first round is likely too early a time to target Bronny, and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka could trade the pick to give LeBron more immediate help or stay at #17 and choose another player.

If Bronny is still on the board at #55, that feels like a more appropriate time to take a shot on LeBron’s oldest son — a move that would keep the King happy and encourage him to re-sign with Los Angeles this summer.