Skip Bayless is probably the last person anyone would ever expect to come to the defense of LeBron James, but that’s exactly what happened on Thursday when the Los Angeles Lakers star faced accusations of being a “bully”.

According to ESPN’s Bob Myers, James’ agent Rich Paul reportedly called teams in the lead-up to Day 2 of the 2024 NBA draft and warned them not to take Bronny James.

Per Myers, Paul told teams Bronny would go to Australia if a team drafted him. That all led to the incredible moment of the Lakers using the No. 55 overall pick on Bronny to pair him with LeBron in Los Angeles.

LeBron has been facing backlash on social media from fans accusing him of strong-arming the NBA to team with his son. Bayless didn’t deny those accusations, but he was willing to give LeBron a pass in this situation.

“Look, I don’t care if LeBron James and Rich Paul bullied and strong-armed the NBA into staying away from Bronny James until he fell all the way to the Lakers at 55 in the second round. I don’t care because Bronny James belongs with LeBron James,” said Bayless in a video posted on X.

He added, “Bronny James can handle playing alongside his all-time great father, the greatest scorer in the history of the NBA. Bronny James was born for this, made for this. He’s a tough kid.”

Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald's All American West guard Bronny James (6) speaks with his father, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, after the game against the McDonald's All American East at Toyota Center.

Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald’s All American West guard Bronny James (6) speaks with his father, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, after the game against the McDonald’s All American East at Toyota Center.

© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Bronny is a product of his own hard work, but it also helps to have spent his entire life picking one of the greatest basketball minds of all time.

The opportunity to play with his son was a moment LeBron has dreamt about for years. It would make sense that his team would want to do whatever it could to ensure that happened.

Make no mistake—Bronny isn’t some throwaway pick for the Lakers to appease their 39-year-old star, either. He’s a solid prospect with real upside as both a defender and shooter.

Making LeBron happy in this instance was the cherry on top.