'Where's the entertainment?' - McCants gets attacked for discrediting Bronny's value to the Lakers

Arenas gave a fitting response to McCants

While the former Minnesota Timberwolves guard doubted Bronny's place in a storied franchise like the Lakers, Gilbert Arenas offered a fiery rebuttal. "Agent Zero" argued that while James Jr.'s contributions have been negligible, his off-court value is immense.

Gil passionately explained how the fans are deeply connected to LeBron James' son, both because of his relentless ability to return to the basketball court after suffering a cardiac arrest and how he is the heir to arguably the GOAT of basketball. Arenas also stressed that Bronny's popularity has translated into high jersey sales, providing the Purple and Gold with significant financial returns and brand reinforcement.

"How 'bout this - you playin' basketball, and you average 10 points a game (but) you sell no jerseys," Gilbert said. "He (Bronny) plays no minutes, he sells 500,000 (jerseys). Who's worth more to the owner? You or him?... I'm paying you your salary, right?... He's paying me my salary."

Guest Wallo supported Arenas' perspective, pointing out that, in terms of popularity, Bronny has already outshone every other young prospect in the 2024 Draft Class. Moreover, as the former USC Trojan is becoming a fan favorite, with fans wanting to cheer him on every time he steps on the court, James Jr.'s star power only creates a unique demand for his merchandise.

"In one week, you sell 500,000 jerseys at $100, that's 50 Ms (million), who the f**k is doing that?" Wallo said. "He's saying - they need him!... wait till the sneakers come."

Bronny holds value for the Lakers

There's little debate that the former Sierra Canyon star was ever expected to play a significant role in the Lakers' 2024-25 campaign if they were to chase another championship with the Anthony Davis-LeBron duo. The 20-year-old's current skill set has noticeable gaps, making it unlikely for James Jr. to contribute significantly on the court.

More importantly, the Lakers' decision to draft Bronny cannot purely be sentimental or tied to appeasing "The King."Instead, it has to be a strategic move, leveraging the rookie's popularity and financial upside.

So it does seem safe to assert that while some critics might point out that other young players with more polished skill sets could have benefitted the Purple & Gold from a basketball standpoint, Bronny's value lies in his ability to draw fanfare, attention, and revenue for the franchise.