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Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was understandably “very emotional” and led a champagne toast among family and friends at a dinner party in New York after his son, Bronny, went 55th overall in the NBA draft to the Lakers on Thursday.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin delivered the news.

“The James family received the news while gathered together at an intimate dinner party in New York, sources told ESPN. LeBron’s mother, Gloria, and wife Savannah’s parents attended, along with some of Bronny’s closest friends and confidants. After the Lakers delivered their decision, LeBron led the group in a champagne toast to commemorate the occasion, a source told ESPN, and was ‘very emotional’ considering the weight of the moment.”

 

The pick obviously marks an historical moment in NBA history, as McMenamin noted.

The pick also harkens back to the 1990 and 1991 Seattle Mariners, when Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played for the same team and even shared the outfield on occasion.

General manager Rob Pelinka made the following remarks after the move.

“In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical,” Pelinka said, per McMenamin.

“We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out … but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”

The elder James can opt out of his contract to become a free agent, but at this juncture, it appears to be a formality that he sticks around L.A. with his son on the team.

The younger James played one year at USC before jumping to the NBA. He impressed in the NBA Combine, notably scoring a team-high 13 points in a winning effort during his second scrimmage. That combine performance notably helped raise his profile going into the draft, and now James is staying in L.A. as a member of the Lakers.

James is well-known for his defensive efforts but also his character and intangibles, which Pelinka raved about.

“Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of high character,” Pelinka said. “And second, he is a young man that works incredibly hard. Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental corps at the Lakers.”

James has no pressure to produce for the team right away as he continues his development. Ultimately, he’s in a great spot to reach his pro ceiling as he works toward his goal of playing in the NBA.