According to NBA insider Stephen A. Smith, there’s reason to believe that the Lakers are manipulating Bronny James draft stock this summer. Smith says the young prospect, who last played for USC, is being set up to join his dad on the Lakers this summer by any means necessary.

“So much of what’s transpiring seems so transparent, it’s insulting,” said Smith. “You have a situation where Bronny James is projected at rank 98 on the talent pool. He goes to the NBA Combine and it drops 44 slots to 54… and the Lakers have the 55th pick. At some point in time, it’s like too much looks too damn obvious.”

Bronny, age 19, is the firstborn son of LeBron James and he’s likely headed to the NBA this summer after declaring for the draft. With averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 36% shooting, his college campaign wasn’t the best and it quickly became clear that James Jr. isn’t as big, strong, or skilled as the King. Nevertheless, LeBron has always dreamed of playing with his son and it’s not hard to believe that he would try to rig the draft so his preferred team (the Lakers) can pick him up.

Interestingly, Bronny was barely seen as an NBA prospect coming into the season and some scouts compared him to a poor man’s Davion Mitchell. But after flashing some of his game at the Combine, where he reportedly impressed scouts, his stock rose by a lot and now he’s valued as the 54th-best prospect, right around where the Lakers are supposed to pick this summer.

It’s well-known how much power LeBron James has had on some of his teams in the past and I think it’s likely that he’s taken a similar position of authority on the Lakers. At this point, they are fully willing to draft Bronny for the sake of appeasing their 39-year-old star and it seems unlikely that he’d be unwilling to manipulate the draft process so the Lakers can have the best chance at picking him up.

Stephen A. Calls Out LeBron James Over Quietly Running The Lakers

As a 4x champion, 4x MVP, 20x All-Star, and 20x All-NBA player, it’s no surprise that LeBron James holds a strong degree of power as a Laker. Every team he’s been on since the Cavaliers has given him this control and there may be nobody more deserving in NBA history.

Unfortunately, what’s best for the Lakers isn’t always best for LeBron and Stephen A. Smith believes that he’s been way too aggressive in trying to insert his own people into the organization.

“You coulda started the podcast with JJ in the offseason after the Lakers moved on from Darvin Ham,” said Smith. “But no, you’re gonna start the podcast on basketball while Darvin Ham is on the hot seat. Then Darvin gets fired and JJ emerges as a top candidate for the job and LeBron wants us to say that he had nothing to do with it.”

LeBron James, who has a $51 million player option next season, has an agenda for the Lakers and his plan is being played out before our eyes. With just one or two more years left to play and add to his legacy, I understand why LeBron wants to go out on his terms but the Lakers may want to think twice before letting him determine all of their major decisions.

LeBron won’t be playing for much longer, and if JJ or Bronny don’t live up to the hype, the Lakers will be left with nothing while James gets to ride out into the sunset and end his career as a legend.