Bronny James picked by Lakers in second-round 2024 NBA Draft scheme

It’s officially Showtime for LeBron James’ son. 

Bronny James was drafted 55th overall Thursday by his dad’s team, the Lakers, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. 

The move follows months of debate and speculation about the possibility of Bronny’s teaming up with the 39-year-old LeBron — a 20-time All-Star and the league’s all-time scoring leader — in Los Angeles. 

The famous scion departed USC following his freshman season, and they will become the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history. 

“I just want to … have people know my name is Bronny James and not be identified as just LeBron James’ son,” Bronny James, who did not attend the draft, said last month at the league’s scouting combine. “I would be happy about getting to the league instead of me thinking about playing with my dad. But that’s not my mindset at all. I’m just trying to put in the work and see where it takes me. 

“My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself.” 

ESPN analyst Bob Myers, the former Warriors general manager, said during the network’s draft coverage that the James camp warned other teams not to draft the teenager. 

“Rich Paul is calling teams [and saying], ‘Don’t take Bronny James,’ ” Myers said, referring to the Klutch sports agent for the father-son duo. “He’s telling them, ‘Do not take him. If you take him, he’s going to Australia.’ So he has a plan and he has a place.” 

LeBron James’ deadline to opt-in on his $51.4 million contract option for the 2024-25 season is Saturday.

The four-time MVP and Paul had backtracked recently from previous comments regarding the desire to play together at the NBA level. 

Paul also said recently that the family doesn’t plan to entertain two-way offers for the 6-foot-2 guard, instead seeking an NBA deal. 

Paul told ESPN the goal was to “find a team that values your guy and try to push him to get there. … Especially those in need of development like Bronny.” 

Still, the younger James, who averaged 4.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting in 25 games for the Trojans, only worked out individually for two NBA teams in the lead-up to the draft, the Lakers and the Suns. 

One scout told The Post last week that Bronny James is “fundamentally sound and plays the right way with an improving skill set and willingness to defend.”

But an NBA executive said that he wouldn’t even be talked about “if his name was Joe Thomas.” 

Bronny James’ limited college career also was delayed until December after he suffered cardiac arrest — caused by a congenital heart defect — during workouts last summer. 

But he enjoyed a strong showing at the combine, finishing third in the 3-point shooting drill and sixth with a vertical leap of 40.5 inches.