Bronny James knows he’ll always be compared to his famous father, but said he’s prepared to deal with the pressure as he begins his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers used their second-round pick (No. 55) to select the son of LeBron James in the 2024 NBA draft last week. The 19-year-old James said he’s ready to deal with heightened pressure of playing on the same team as his father, one of greatest players in NBA history and being a part of the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.

“For sure, [there’s] an amplified amount of pressure,” Bronny said Tuesday during his introductory news conference. “I’ve already seen it on social media and the internet and stuff about how I might not deserve an opportunity. But, you know, I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for my whole life, so it’s nothing different, but it’s more amplified for sure. I’ll get through it.”

Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, reportedly helped steer him to the Lakers by telling other teams Bronny would play in Australia if they selected him in the draft. Having a powerful agent - who is the same agent for LeBron - directing traffic on draft night, along with arguably the most powerful player in the league as your father prompted the Lakers to select Bronny, despite a disappointing and mediocre freshman season at USC.

The circumstances behind the Lakers’ decision prompted new Lakers coach JJ Redick to dismiss claims of nepotism.

“Rob and I did not give Bronny anything. Bronny has earned this,” Redick told reporters. “Bronny talks about his hard work. Bronny has earned this through hard work.”

The Lakers believe in Bronny’s potential. They are expected to sign Bronny to a multi-year guaranteed contract with the Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Second-round picks usually don’t receive guaranteed contracts, but Paul made it clear leading up to the draft Bronny would not sign a two-way deal.

Bronny said he plans to work hard every day, leaning on the example set by his father.

“Just having that work ethic and coming in and getting your work in and listening to your coaches and being coachable,” James told reporters. “Stuff like that he’s driven into my head my whole life.”

James will get the opportunity to develop on a team that has championship aspirations for the upcoming season. As a late second-round pick, It seems unlikely he’ll play much except for garbage time during the early stages of the regular season. Or the Lakers could send him to the G-League, where he can continue his development without the pressure of playing in the giant shadow of his father.