Lakers draft Bronny James to form NBA’s first father-son duo
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the historic move by the Los Angeles Lakers, drafting Bronny James to form the leagues first father-son duo.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James is expected to make his NBA summer league debut Saturday at the California Classic.
James, the older son of Lakers star LeBron James, signed his contract Wednesday – a deal that will pay him $7.9 million over four seasons.
Bronny was the 55th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft, and by joining the Lakers, LeBron and Bronny are the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time.
Bronny, 19, played one season at Southern California and decided to enter the NBA draft his freshman season. He sustained a cardiac sudden cardiac a year ago and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He had a procedure to repair the defect and was cleared to play for the Trojans and cleared to play in the NBA by the league’s Fitness to Play panel.
Bronny’s expected NBA summer league debut will be televised by ESPN. The game against the Sacramento Kings begins at 4:30 p.m. ET at Golden State’s Chase Center in San Francisco.
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The California Classic is a mini-version of the NBA’s much larger Las Vegas Summer League. These games feature young players who were just drafted, signed or trying to earn a larger deal. Some veterans trying to get a new NBA contract also participate.
The Lakers, Golden State, Sacramento, Charlotte, Miami, San Antonio and China’s national team will play in the California Classic.
Six games are at Golden State’s Chase Center in San Francisco, and six are at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings at Chase Center, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Miami Heat vs. Golden State at Chase Center, 6:30 p.m. ET,
Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
China vs. Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Miami Heat vs. Sacramento at Chase Center, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
China vs. Charlotte Hornets at Golden 1 Center, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2
San Antonio Spurs vs. China at Golden 1 Center, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center, 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV
The Las Vegas Summer League is July 12-22 at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center and Pavilion arenas.
