Bronny James found himself left out of ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft following the unveiling of the lottery results on Sunday, sparking speculation about his potential future in professional basketball. The possibility of James being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, who possess the No. 17 and No. 55 overall picks, has been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike.

Should the Lakers opt to draft James, it would mark a historic moment in NBA history, as he would join his father, LeBron James, on the same team. Such a scenario would represent the first instance of a father and son simultaneously playing in the NBA, let alone for the same franchise.

However, in the aforementioned mock draft, the Lakers opted to select Duke guard Jared McCain at No. 17 and Houston guard Jamal Shead at No. 55, passing over James. Despite the speculation, James’s future remains uncertain as he prepares to participate in the NBA Combine in Chicago alongside 77 other prospects.

James, who declared his intention to enter the NBA draft and the NCAA transfer portal following his freshman year at USC, faces a critical decision ahead of the June 16 deadline. He must choose whether to remain in the NBA draft pool or return to school for another year.

In the meantime, James will seize the opportunity presented by the Combine to showcase his skills and improve his draft stock before the June 26 draft. As he navigates this pivotal moment in his basketball career, all eyes will be on James as he determines his path forward in the sport.