The 2024 NBA Draft’s lack of celebrity expertise has helped make the most important identify within the class a participant who may not even be chosen. Bronny James, the oldest son of LeBron James, entered the draft after one season at USC. James’ freshman yr began with a terrifying coronary heart scare when he collapsed at observe in July, and he by no means actually discovered his footing after returning to the lineup.
USC was disappointing, ending underneath .500 and lacking the NCAA event regardless of having one other high freshman guard in Isaiah Collier. James made his debut in Dec., largely coming off the bench to area the ground and defend. He ended up averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists per recreation on 36.6 p.c capturing from the ground and 26.7 p.c capturing from three-point vary.
It’s uncommon {that a} freshman who scores lower than 5 factors per recreation will get drafted into the NBA, however after all James isn’t a standard freshman. With NBA Draft approaching on June 26-27, James and his company Klutch Sports activities look like protecting groups away from James to allow them to steer him to a selected vacation spot.
NBA groups have been unable to convey James in for exercises, in response to ESPN’s Jon Givony, with two massive exceptions. James had a exercise for his father’s crew, the Los Angeles Lakers (who personal the No. 17 and No. 55 choose), and is scheduled to have a second exercise with the Phoenix Suns (who personal the No. 22 choose). Right here’s Givony’s newest reporting:
“NBA groups that I speak to say they can not get Bronny James into the constructing,” Givony mentioned. “The sense amongst groups is that his agent, Wealthy Paul, doesn’t need him on a two-way contract. […] It’s trying like Bronny James goes to slip to No. 55. I don’t suppose any NBA crew needs to choose him and take care of the repercussions of that.”
This may increasingly really feel like James is getting particular remedy because the son of an all-time legend, however it’s actually not. Gamers and their companies attempt to push their approach to a sure vacation spot on a regular basis, particularly these projected to go within the second spherical. One current instance is Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who bypassed an opportunity to go No. 42 to the Pistons so he could possibly be undrafted and signal with LA.
Fred VanVleet is one other instance of a participant who turned down second spherical alternatives to go undrafted so he may select his crew.
ESPN’s newest mock draft has Bronny James going to the Lakers at No. 55. The Suns don’t presently have a second spherical choose, although they may purchase one on draft evening. Taking part in with a veteran Phoenix crew led by Kevin Durant could be a pleasant final result for James, however it positive appears like he’s destined to satisfy his father’s dream by being drafted by the Lakers.
SB Nation’s newest mock draft had the Lakers taking G League Ignite ahead Tyler Smith at No. 17.
The true query is what does Bronny need? He shouldn’t be a pawn in his father’s legacy goals. His profession deserves to be taken significantly on its phrases. Taking part in together with his well-known dad will solely convey extra strain, and it’s honest to surprise what occurs as soon as LeBron Sr. lastly retires.
Every part that’s occurred to Bronny over the past yr has been sort of unhappy. We scouted him extensively in highschool and believed he was adequate to NBA consideration with out his father’s assist. The center challenge and the strain placed on by his father have made Bronny’s profession look like a sideshow. Fairly quickly, it is going to be time to sink or swim.
