"Teams aren't going to play with the Godfather, Rich Paul": Paul Pierce weighs in on Bronny potentially teaming up with LeBron
NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce believes the LA Lakers will select Bronny James in next month's rookie draft and let him team up with superstar-father and four-time champion LeBron James.
"The Truth" shared this in the latest episode of FS1's "Undisputed", highlighting that amid what has been reported that various teams have expressed interest in the young James in the upcoming draft, the bottom line is Bronny's handlers already have him ending up with the Lakers.
Pierce said:
"They [teams] are not going to play with the Godfather, [sports agent] Rich Paul... This is already mapped out. It's inevitable. He [Bronny] will be a Laker. Bronny James is going to play with his dad for the Lakers."
He added:
"They don't matter what the report says. This is going to be the be-all, end-all storybook ending for LeBron James in a Laker uniform to play alongside his son Bronny..."
Watch what Pierce had to say below:
Bronny James has decided to throw his name in the mix for this year's NBA Draft after just one collegiate season with the USC Trojans.
While at USC, the 19-year-old missed the early part of the season after he suffered a cardiac arrest while in training with the team last summer. In his return, he played in 25 games, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.6% on the floor.
While some quarters have expressed their reservations on Bronny declaring for the draft, the young player is adamant in going for his NBA dreams, regardless, he said, if he plays with his father or not.
Rich Paul not allowing Bronny James to sign a two-way contract
While Bronny James' agent Rich Paul wants him to play in the NBA, their group is not open to the idea of the young player signing a two-way contract.
Paul shared this in a recent interview with Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, underscoring that they are confident that Bronny will be drafted in next month's rookie draft.
The high-profile sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group said:
"Yes, that's [no to two-way contract for Bronny] absolutely true. Teams know that. I'm not doing that."
James possibly signing a two-way contract has been spotlighted of late after reports came out that Paul has been told by teams that his client is projected to be taken from either the 20s to not being drafted at all.
NBA teams are allowed to sign up to three players to a two-way contract that would see them splitting time between the NBA and the G League but get paid the same for their service.
Bronny James was a recent participant in the NBA draft combine in prepration for the draft proper and impressed with certain facets of his game.
Do you agree with Paul Pierce and believe that Bronny will get drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers to play alongside LeBron James? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.