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Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics:Â NBA, Basketball, LA Lakers, Lebron James
Ryan Baldi
Bronny James has faced accusations of nepotism ever since he entered the NBA.
The son of LeBron James was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers – his father's team – this year and the pair became the first father-son duo ever to play together in the NBA.
The 20-year-old guard made six appearances for the Lakers at the beginning of the 2024-25 season – averaging 0.7 points, 0.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists in an average of just 2.7 minutes per outing – before heading to the famous California club's G League affiliate team, the South Bay Lakers.
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Now, though, one of Bronny's G League teammates has leapt to the famous offspring's defence.
"He's my guy," French forward Armel Traore, who is also a rookie with the South Bay side, told TMZ Sports. "And I like everyone on the team, we're a family."
Traore was signed by the Lakers this year as an undrafted free agent. The 6ft 8ins 21-year-old previously had spells in his homeland with AS Monaco and Metroplitans 92. At the latter, he was a teammate of current NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama.
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"I'm blessed to be here," Traore said. "Just wanna keep going, it's just the start. Every time I get my chance in the big gym, I'm showing my stuff, and in the G League, play my game."
Traore has impressed so far with the Lakers second string, averaging 16.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and one block on 50 per cent shooting from the field in five appearances.
Bronny James has made just two appearances for the South Bay Lakers to date, averaging five points, 2.5 rebounds and three assists in 28.5 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, LeBron James – who will celebrate his 40th birthday later this month – continues to thrive in his 22nd season in the NBA.
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The King is averaging 22 points, eight rebounds and 9.1 assists for the Lakers, who boast a 12-9 record.