The 2024 NBA Draft has been endlessly discussed for the lack of top-tier star talent in it compared to the last few drafts. As a result, one of the most talked about prospects is Bronny James. Bronny recovered from a cardiac arrest in July to return to the court for the USC Tigers and is on track to be in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Bronny’s draft stock has been in turmoil after his cardiac arrest, with many believing he would be a second-round pick. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has said he’s hearing that Bronny could be a first-round pick.
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“Everybody’s got an opinion on Bronny James… I’ve got people telling me this guy’s going in the 1st round. No doubt. Not necessarily because of what he’s showing at USC but just because of the dynamics around the pick. I just say, he’s 19 years old and playing his first year of college basketball. He had a major health event in July, so my expectations for him are low. But people have huge expectations of him.”
The ‘dynamics’ that Windhorst refers to around the selection of Bronny is the fact that LeBron James could be a free agent in the summer. Given LeBron has made it clear that he wants to share the court with Bronny, any team that drafts his son could be in a unique position to also sign him in the summer.
LeBron has a $51.4 million player option on his Lakers contract. He could easily decline it and be a free agent in the summer, giving any team with Bronny an advantage in possibly convincing James to leave LA for them.
Should Bronny James Stay Another Season In College?
Bronny James is averaging 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in USC as he slowly ramps up his play after returning from his cardiac arrest. The Tigers have star guards like Isaiah Collier, so it’s unlikely Bronny gets majorly focused in their game plan, but he’s already showing utility as a hustle all-around player who can defend, handle, pass, and shoot.
The promise Bronny is showing is prompting many to discuss if he’d benefit from another year in USC to expand his game before coming into the NBA. Draft expert Jamal Collier discussed the same on The Hoop Collective.
“I have seen his progression. One, if his name wasn’t LeBron James Jr., he’d be viewed as a prospect. He’s a good player. But I will also say, factoring in the health and getting acclimated to paying, if he were not who he is, you’d look at him as a guy who’d benefit from multiple years of college.”
Despite the positives of another year in USC, Collier seems certain that Bronny will enter the 2024 Draft in a situation that’s never been seen before, as drafting Bronny could be the ticket to landing LeBron James.
“It does sound like there’s a very good chance he goes in the Draft. Also the factor of LeBron. It’s a situation unlike anything we have never seen with a prospect, a possible domino of that magnitude attached.”
As we get closer to June, this situation is likely going to unravel. James has stayed tight-lipped this season about his future in LA, but everyone knows he could be a free agent. It seems he’s happy and settled in LA beyond basketball, but if the Lakers can’t bring the James family tour to the fans, LeBron could leave to make it happen elsewhere.
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