The Warriors reportedly considered signing Bronny James at No. 52, who was turned down out of respect for LeBron

Rich Paul did what agents do: He tried to steer his client toward where he wanted to go with the Lakers, reportedly telling other teams, “If you sign him, he’ll play in Australia and not for you.”

It worked, Bronny James stayed on the board until he picked No. 55 when the Lakers selected him. However, the Warriors seriously considered taking him at No. 52. reports Ramona Shelburne at ESPN.

“…The Golden State Warriors, who tried to trade for James last season, considered taking Bronny at No. 52. The Warriors liked Bronny’s skills and had him on their draft board, sources said. Selecting him ahead of the Lakers, who finished 55th, would have been a smart move – perhaps even to entice James to sign there as a free agent. But ultimately, sources said, the Warriors chose to respect the wishes James had made clear, and the Lakers signaled they would honor them.”

Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob reached out to Lakers governor Jeanie Buss last season to initiate trade talks with LeBron James, but they went nowhere. Signing Bronny as possible leverage to sign LeBron wasn’t just an idea in the Warriors’ front office, even though LeBron (and Paul) had said the superstar wasn’t going anywhere, what with calls and the threat from Australia led.

In the end, it wasn’t worth it for Golden State. Bronny has potential, but anyone drafted in the second half of the second round is unlikely to be in the NBA rotation going forward. They could make other dice rolls that wouldn’t anger one of the most powerful agents in the league.

Bronny and LeBron are together in Los Angeles And don’t be surprised if the Lakers play them right at the start of the season, perhaps opening night against Minnesota. League sources indicate that Los Angeles would like to get it done, move past all the attention on this storyline and then focus on Bronny spending significant time in the G-League and developing his game.