The 2024 NBA Draft is one week away and Bronny James' agent Rich Paul provided an update on his client's pre-draft process.
Paul has been very outspoken as James gets closer to achieving his dream of making the NBA.
First, the Klutch Sports CEO emphasized that he would prioritize fit and situation for Bronny over trying to get him picked as early as possible. "I don't value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation," Paul told ESPN back in March after Bronny declared for the draft.
Then, Paul made it clear that he would not entertain a two-way contract for Bronny, preventing certain teams from drafting his client. "Teams know that. I'm not doing that," Paul told Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes after the NBA Draft Combine.
As the big day grows closer, Paul elaborated on why he's limiting Bronny's pre-draft workouts while putting an end to the idea that the 19-year-old is a package deal with his father, LeBron James.
MORE: Will Lakers draft Bronny James with the No. 17 pick?
Rich Paul on finding the best fit for Bronny James in 2024 NBA Draft
Paul made it clear that Bronny isn't receiving any special treatment from his other clients during the pre-draft process in an interview with ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony.
"This is nothing new. The goal is to find a team that values your guy and try to push him to get there. It's important to understand the context and realize that this has always been the strategy with many of my clients throughout the years, especially those in need of development like Bronny. My stuff is by design," Paul said.
The Klutch Sports CEO does have a history of navigating previous clients to desired destinations without having to sign a two-way deal. That's what landed Talen Horton-Tucker with the Lakers (No. 46 in 2019), Brandon Boston Jr. with the Clippers (No. 51 in 2021) and Chris Livingston with the Bucks (No. 58 in 2023).
All three of those players signed guaranteed contracts despite being second-round picks.
"If Bronny's name was Charles Jacobsen and he was my client— I would do the same thing: Identify teams that have real interest," Paul quipped.
MORE: The best landing spots for Bronny James
Rich Paul on LeBron James no longer demanding to play with Bronny
"LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny," Paul told ESPN. "If he does, he does. But if he doesn't, he doesn't.
"There's no deal made that it's guaranteed that if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he [LeBron] will re-sign. If that was the case, I would force them to take him at 17. We don't need leverage. The Lakers can draft Bronny, and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now."
Bronny echoed a similar sentiment at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, saying his goal is simply to make it to the NBA.
"My dream has always just been to put my name out, make a name for myself, and get to the NBA, which is everyone's end goal that's here. I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course, he's brought it up a couple times," Bronny said.
MORE: How did Bronny James measure at the NBA Combine?
Mavericks, Timberwolves, Raptors have interest in Bronny James
Bronny has only worked out for the Lakers and Suns, but Paul said there are a couple of other teams that have expressed interest in selecting the 19-year-old combo guard.
"There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto," Paul told ESPN.
"If it's not the Lakers, it will be someone else. Minnesota would love to get Bronny in, but I don't know who their owner is going to be. [Mavs GM] Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny. If the Lakers don't take him at 55, Dallas would take him at 58 and give him a guaranteed deal. Masai [Ujiri, Raptors president], loves him. They could take him without even seeing him at 31."
LeBron's son seems to be garnering plenty of attention from teams around the league as the 2024 NBA Draft approaches.
