The move opened some eyes as Bennett is an extremely respected person who had great success in the college ranks. He took two programs in Virginia, as well as Washington State, to new levels and coached and developed a number of players who would go on to NBA success, including Klay Thompson, Trey Murphy III, Malcolm Brogdon and De’Andre Hunter.

But in his role as draft advisor, Bennett will not be taking on a lead role in the scouting department or draft room itself. But instead, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Bennett’s eye for identifying specific types of players will be utilized as the Lakers look to increase their stock of young, promising players:

Bennett, a team source said, will not be leading the Lakers’ draft room or scouting. Instead, Bennett’s experience in finding players who possess toughness, energy and IQ will aid in the Lakers’ search as they restock an empty-ish cupboard of young talent.

There was a time when the Lakers’ scouting and drafting department was one of the biggest strengths in the organization. The team regularly found players in the late-first or second rounds of the draft that would go on to be excellent players in the NBA, such as Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac and Larry Nance Jr.

Oftentimes, those players would be used in trades to acquire a superstar, but that also means that these young players were talented enough to warrant inclusion in such deals. These days, the Lakers’ stock of young players is basically empty. Dalton Knecht’s value has plummeted, which leaves rookie Adou Thiero, who has battled injury in his first season, as the lone young player with some real potential on this roster.

Bennett’s teams in college were known for their defense, toughness and high IQ who played together and embraced their roles and he ultimately led Virginia to the National Championship in 2019. If he can help to find some of those players who have those same qualities he will be a great benefit to this Lakers franchise.

Lakers center Deandre Ayton doesn’t want to be placed in Clint Capela role

When it comes to the current Lakers roster one of the biggest keys to success is the play of center Deandre Ayton. And the big man recently let it be known that he does not want to be placed in rim-running role that Clint Capela once held for the Houston Rockets.

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Both rounds will be televised nationally at 5:00 p.m. PT. The first round will be simulcast on ABC and ESPN, while the second round will be exclusively on ESPN.

The Los Angeles Lakers, as it currently stands, will not select in the first round of this year’s NBA Draft, but will have one second-round pick. Their first-round pick is owed outright to the Atlanta Hawks, who acquired the pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Dejounte Murray trade.

The Lakers originally dealt their 2025 first-rounder to the Pelicans as the final piece of the Anthony Davis trade. New Orleans had their choice between L.A.’s 2024 and 2025 first-round pick. They chose 2025, allowing the Lakers to select Dalton Knecht.

That means that, for now, the Lakers do not have to make any selections until June 26, the second day of the draft. They own their own second-rounder, although that could always change before the draft rolls around. The Lakers could use their second-round pick this year to make a marginal improvement, or could try and add picks in other types of deals.

Lakers star LeBron James calls playing with Bronny his greatest accomplishment

The Lakers’ second round pick in 2024 was used to select Bronny James, the oldest son of LeBron James. They have formed the first father-son duo in NBA history and LeBron recently called playing with Bronny his greatest accomplishment.

“For me, when it comes to the titles, that’s one separate thing. But to be able to be in this league and play in this league and also being able to do it alongside Bronny right now, that’s one of the biggest accomplishments, and probably the No. 1 accomplishment I’ve ever been able to do. To work with your son, I’ve heard it from a lot of people, not only sports but I’ve heard it in business and other walks of life that it’s the greatest thing you could ever have. And to see him everyday grinding and going through the process of trying to become who he wants to be, while I’m sitting there just watching him doing the things that he wants to do. Being able to just take it all in. It helps me get some of the minutes and hours and years back that I didn’t have with him because I was playing so much. To be able to get some of this time back now, it’s pretty special.”

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That doesn’t mean the Lakers haven’t been able to find contributors as the early-to-mid 2000s saw them find the likes of Luke Walton (2003), Sasha Vujacic (2004), Andrew Bynum (2005) and Jordan Farmar (2006), all of whom would play a role in the Lakers’ back-to-back championship run in 2009 and 2010.

While they didn’t make an impact on the Lakers specifically, Javaris Crittenton and Marc Gasol were both drafted in 2007 and then traded away to the Memphis Grizzlies to bring in Pau Gasol which changed the fortunes of this franchise.

The Lakers were at their drafting best between 2014 and 2017 with their scouting department finding talent in all areas of the draft. Julius Randle, Lonzo Ball, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram were all lottery picks. Larry Nance Jr. was a late first-rounder as while Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart technically weren’t drafted by the Lakers, they were acquired in draft day trades. Ivica Zubac was a great find in the second round, as was Jordan Clarkson who was also a draft day trade acquisition.

The majority of these young pieces were traded and found their best success elsewhere, however those deals set up the team’s 2020 NBA Championship with Nance, Clarkson and Russell all helping to clear space to sign LeBron James while Ingram, Ball and Hart were dealt to bring in Anthony Davis.

The drafting of Dalton Knecht in 2024 is also one of their best as the talented sharpshooter brought a much-needed floor spacing element to the team and of course, also Bronny James, son of LeBron who would make history as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.

Every Lakers NBA Draft pick since 2000

2000: Mark Madsen (29th overall pick)
2002: Chris Jeffries (27)
2003: Brian Cook (23), Luke Walton (32)
2004: Sasha Vujacic (27), Marcus Douthit (56)
2005: Andrew Bynum (10), Ronny Turiaf (37), Von Wafer (39)
2006: Jordan Farmar (26), Cheikh Samb (51)
2007: Javaris Crittenton (19), Sun Yue (40), Marc Gasol (48)
2008: Joe Crawford (58)
2009: Toney Douglas (29), Patrick Beverley (42), Chinemelu Elonu (59)
2010: Devin Ebanks (43), Derrick Caracter (58)
2011: Darius Morris (41), Andrew Goudelock (46), Chukwudiebere Maduabum (56), Ater Majok (58)
2012: Robert Sacre (60)
2013: Ryan Kelly (48)
2014: Julius Randle (7), Jordan Clarkson (46)
2015: D’Angelo Russell (2), Larry Nance Jr. (27), Anthony Brown (34)
2016: Brandon Ingram (2), Ivica Zubac (32)
2017: Lonzo Ball (2), Kyle Kuzma (27), Josh Hart (30), Thomas Bryant (42)
2018: Mo Wagner (25), Isaac Bonga (39), Svi Mykhailiuk (47)
2019: Talen Horton-Tucker (46)
2020: Jaden McDaniels (28)
2021: Isaiah Jackson (22)
2022: Max Christie (35)
2023: Jalen Hood-Schifino (17), Maxwell Lewis (40)
2024: Dalton Knecht (17), Bronny James (55)

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After making some noise with arguably the steal of the first round by selecting University of Tennessee star Dalton Knecht at No. 17 overall, the Lakers brass were perceived as big winners in this draft.

However, many fans and some within the media are torn about the team seemingly catering to superstar LeBron James by drafting his eldest son. Rob Pelinka and company are selling the move as a chance to make NBA history with a father-son duo on the professional level.

With Bronny James’ NBA career officially underway, the USC product had to pick the jersey number he wanted. Playing for this franchise with so many retired numbers can be challenging to pick a number, but it seems he’s decided to wear No. 9. A notable recent player to wear No. 9 was Rajon Rondo, who ironically could be on JJ Redick’s coaching staff, but the most memorable player in Purple and Gold that sported that number was Nick Van Exel, who gave his stamp of approval on X on Friday:

Let’s gooooooo!!!!!!! https://t.co/XwHW8YQFt9

— Nick Van Exel (@vanexel31) June 28, 2024

Along with Van Exel being OK with the rookie guard wearing his old number, LeBron James also commented on his son being set to wear No. 9, as it appears he was a fan of the former Lakers star:

That’s so TOUGH!! Nick the Quick was SO COLD!!!!! ??? https://t.co/p6TSgfnl1S

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 28, 2024

Knecht also had to decide to make on what number he wants to wear as he got his NBA career started with the storied franchise. The former Volunteers star chose to go with No. 4, also worn by a notable former Lakers player, three-time NBA champion Byron Scott.

Other players who have worn No. 9 for the Lakers include Matt Barnes and Luol Deng. In contrast, quite a few players in the past sported No. 4, such as Luke Walton, Ron Harper, Antawn Jamison, Adrian Dantley, Ryan Kelly, Joe Hutton, and Frankie King.

Lakers Video: Adrian Wojnarowski & Stephen A. Smith blast critics for nepotism claim

As a result of the Lakers bringing in Bronny James with their second-round pick on Thursday night in the NBA Draft, a lot of people have criticized the franchise for an extreme case of nepotism, especially after the team recently hired a friend and podcast co-host of LeBron James in JJ Redick.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Adrian Wojnarowski fired back at critics for this claim, as they believe nepotism is rampant in the NBA.

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As such, Bronny has been putting in a lot of work on the pre-draft circuit to show exactly that. He had a promising showing at the NBA Draft Combine in both drills as well as the scrimmage portion and now the next step has taken place with the Klutch Pro Day, which took place at the Lakers practice facility.

Of course LeBron himself was in attendance to watch his son, as was his Lakers superstar teammate Anthony Davis, among other players and NBA front office members to see Bronny in action, via Swish Cultures, Bleacher Report and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony:

Bronny James (@BronnyJamesJr) had LeBron, AD & Cam’ron pull up to the Lakers facility for Proday ? Showcasing his athleticism & shooting ability. @ChrisJHoops @KlutchSports pic.twitter.com/IbsM3MjG5V

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) May 23, 2024

LeBron, AD & Zach LaVine pulled up to watch Bronny's pro day ahead of NBA draft ?? @KlutchSports pic.twitter.com/jSACgy4k1Z

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2024

Big audience of NBA decision makers on hand to watch Bronny James at the Klutch pro day at the Lakers practice facility. pic.twitter.com/WVa6iQcaMW

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 23, 2024

Of course this is a Pro Day meant to showcase the greatest strengths of the players taking part in it. Klutch wants Bronny and the rest of the prospects to look at their best in this situation. That being said, Bronny looks excellent in these videos, in particular his shooting ability, which will be crucial to his success at the NBA level.

Bronny doesn’t have the size of his father, but he does have good arm length for his size and the athleticism is there as well. If he can prove he can handle the ball, defend his position and consistently knock down 3-pointers, there will be a spot for him on a roster. And in front of the Lakers and many other NBA teams, he undoubtedly looked capable.

Lakers’ LeBron James proud of how Bronny James has navigated NBA Draft process

Despite being a borderline second-round prospect, the pressure on Bronny James thanks to being the son of Lakers star LeBron James is far greater than basically any other NBA Draft prospect. And LeBron is happy with how Bronny has handled everything.

The Lakers star spoke about this on his latest podcast episode, praising Bronny for handling the insane amount of coverage he is receiving while also giving him credit for seeing where he could potentially fit in today’s game and modeling his game after those types of players.

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