The 2024 NBA Draft’s lack of celebrity expertise has helped make the most important title within the class a participant who won’t 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 beneath .500 and lacking the NCAA event regardless of having one other prime freshman guard in Isaiah Collier. James made his debut in Dec., principally coming off the bench to area the ground and defend. He ended up averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists per sport on 36.6 % capturing from the ground and 26.7 % capturing from three-point vary.
It’s uncommon {that a} freshman who scores lower than 5 factors per sport will get drafted into the NBA, however in fact James isn’t a traditional freshman. With NBA Draft approaching on June 26-27, James and his company Klutch Sports activities seem like conserving 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, based on ESPN’s Jon Givony, with two massive exceptions. James had a exercise for his father’s workforce, 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’t 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 wanting like Bronny James goes to slip to No. 55. I don’t suppose any NBA workforce desires to select him and cope with the repercussions of that.”
This may occasionally really feel like James is getting particular remedy because the son of an all-time legend, but it surely’s actually not. Gamers and their businesses attempt to push their approach to a sure vacation spot on a regular basis, particularly these projected to go within the second spherical. One latest instance is Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who bypassed an opportunity to go No. 42 to the Pistons so he may very well 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 might select his workforce.
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 might purchase one on draft night time. Enjoying with a veteran Phoenix workforce led by Kevin Durant could be a pleasant end result for James, but it surely positive looks like he’s destined to meet 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 severely on its phrases. Enjoying along with his well-known dad will solely convey extra stress, and it’s truthful to surprise what occurs as soon as LeBron Sr. lastly retires.
Every thing that’s occurred to Bronny during the last yr has been type 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 stress placed on by his father have made Bronny’s profession seem to be a sideshow. Fairly quickly, will probably be time to sink or swim.
