LeBron James criticizes speculation around son Bronny James' NBA ...

Lakers star LeBron James dunked on the NBA Draft chatter surrounding son Bronny James, urging speculators to “let the kid be a kid.”

“The work and results will ultimately do the talking no matter what he decides to do,” James wrote Monday in a since-deleted post on X. “If y’all don’t know he doesn’t care what a mock draft says, he just WORKS! Earned Not Given!”

James’ criticism came in response to a report by the website Lakers Daily that said ESPN removed Bronny, a 19-year-old USC freshman, from its 2024 mock drafts and now projects him to be a 2025 selection.

Bronny was projected to be a 2024 first-round pick before a health issue delayed the start of his freshman season. The teenager went into cardiac arrest during a USC workout in July, then underwent surgery to treat what his family described as a congenital heart defect.

A 6-4 guard, Bronny debuted at USC in mid-December and is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game through 19 appearances, including six starts.

James previously touted his son’s NBA prospects, claiming last month that Bronny could play for the Lakers “right now,” according to The Guardian.

Bronny’s future commands extra attention because it has long been considered his father’s dream for them to play together in the NBA. Earlier this month, The Athletic cited a team source in reporting the Lakers were “willing to explore the notion” of adding Bronny this offseason.

The 39-year-old James’ future has been similarly scrutinized amid an unspectacular season by the Lakers, who sit ninth in the West at 31-28 after last year’s run to the conference finals.

Many interpreted James posting an hourglass emoji on social media before the NBA trade deadline as a nudge to the Lakers’ front office to make a meaningful move. Amid the drama, the Golden State Warriors reached out to the Lakers to ask about trading for James, according to ESPN.

James, who has a player option for 2024-25, is averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this season, his 21st in the NBA.