Yahoo Sports NBA draft analyst Krysten Peek and CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein discuss whether Bronny James to the Lakers, uniting him with LeBron James, is a foregone conclusion in the 2024 NBA Draft. Hear the full conversation on “On The Clock” – part of the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Shock to nobody.

Ronnie James is keeping his name in the draft.

It’s funny before we even started the pod this year for on the clock.

I said, Ronnie, we’re gonna deep dive into him and you’re like, I’ve already said everything I want to say about Ronnie James.

My, my position hasn’t changed in the, in like the last year, I’ve said, I’ve said everything, you know, like I really haven’t.

I think he’s gonna be on the Lakers.

I said it a year ago.

I still think he’s gonna be on the lake now.

Obviously, some things have really changed in terms of like his health, you know, with that, that traumatic uh health scare over the summer.

And I’ve said this, I think we should be talking more about that.

Like, what are the ramifications of that all credit to him to getting back on the court to being able to play through that type of trauma.

But in terms of his basketball destination, like, listen, lebron James when he says things repeatedly, it’s usually for a reason and he said repeatedly that he wanted to play with his son.

This is arguably the most influential player in NBA history when it comes to dictating front office maneuvers and by the way, he can be a free agent this year.

So in case he didn’t have enough leverage already, he’s got even more.

Oh, and by the way, he’s like the Tom Brady of basketball and just doesn’t age so he’s far from on his last leg and now it looks like he’s going to command another multimillion dollar deal and still be one of the best players in the NBA.

So like if you’re the Lakers, why wouldn’t you, you’re telling me they’re not going to take Ronnie when that’s what, what lebron wants.

Everything in the last couple of weeks has only supported that conclusion.

He doesn’t want a two way, ok?

He’s not gonna sign a two way guaranteed money only.

Ok.

So that’s gonna deter anybody else from taking him.

There’s 10 teams that want to work him out, but he’s only working out for two, the Lakers and the Sun.

So nobody else has a chance to see him.

Like he’s gonna be on the Lakers.

That’s so, yes, I don’t really have anything new to say because that’s what I’ve been saying for the last year.

Listen, this isn’t rocket science.

People connect the dots.

Lebron James and Ronnie James are both going to be in Laker Yellow next year.

It just depends coached by JJ Redick.

It just depends on where he’s going to get drafted.

I don’t think he’s going to be there at 55.

I think teams are too smart to allow that to happen for him just to fall especially.

Yes, I think there’s going to be teams that are going to call Rich Paul and they’re going to say, look, I know Ronnie didn’t come in.

We’re gonna take him at 32.

We’re gonna take him at 40.

We, you know what I mean?

And because what will then happen is they will be told don’t do that.

Clutch is a huge agency.

So we’re then going to assume that they’re gonna say no Rich Paul, no clutch.

You don’t have enough juice.

I’m gonna do it anyway.

Like I don’t think that’s worth it.

I just don’t think the risk reward ratio is, makes sense for an NBA team at that point.

But that’s just me.