Between June 22 and June 26, 2024, the Kalshi prediction market for the Los Angeles Lakers potentially drafting LeBron James Jr. saw a rise in the "Yes" price from $0.42 to $0.54. This movement was likely influenced by reports from credible sports news outlets such as ESPN and Bleacher Report indicating that the Lakers were seriously considering LeBron James Jr. as a draft prospect. These reports highlighted the strong familial ties and basketball pedigree, linking LeBron James Jr. to his father, LeBron James, a highly regarded player in NBA history. The prospect of the Lakers drafting LeBron James Jr. generated significant buzz and speculation among fans and analysts, driving up the market price as optimism grew about the possibility of seeing the younger James join the iconic franchise.
Additionally, during this period, LeBron James Sr. made public comments expressing his support for his son's potential NBA career, further fueling speculation about the Lakers' interest in LeBron James Jr. These remarks, covered by major sports networks like CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports, underscored the familial narrative and heightened interest in the Lakers potentially selecting LeBron James Jr. in the upcoming draft. Such endorsements from LeBron James Sr., coupled with credible reports from sports media, contributed to the increase in the "Yes" price on Kalshi as investors weighed the likelihood of this high-profile draft scenario playing out in reality.