It has been a difficult season for Bronny James and USC, sparking discussion about whether the 19-year-old would be better served waiting until 2025 to enter the NBA Draft.
What could go into that decision?
James' call will go deeper than just raw numbers, but the freshman has struggled for much of the year since returning from cardiac arrest. He entered Saturday averaging 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 37.4 percent shooting. While the Trojans picked up an impressive win over Washington, James was held scoreless over 14 minutes.
His father, LeBron James, has implored fans and the media in recent weeks to stop speculating about his son and the NBA, tweeting, "Can yall please just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball," on Tuesday before deleting the sentiment.
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On Friday, another update on Bronny's draft status came through a conversation that his agent, Rich Paul, had with ESPN.
Will Bronny James get drafted?
Amid growing questions about James' viability in the 2024 NBA Draft, his agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN that fit will matter more than draft positioning for the USC freshman.
"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 said, adding, "LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man."
Reporting on ABC Countdown on the future of Bronny and LeBron James in the NBA together pic.twitter.com/M49pFCHFXV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 3, 2024
The lottery is a farfetched dream for James at this point, but Paul's comments are a sign that interest from teams — rather than James' draft stock itself — might be the biggest factor in the upcoming decision.
The NBA Draft is only two rounds, but teams have plenty of room to give opportunities to undrafted free agents between the Summer League roster and a myriad of deals that allow players to play in the G League while still being tied to the organization.
James is also in a unique situation given his father's celebrity status. LeBron has made it clear that money isn't a factor in his son's draft decision. While most other prospects might stay in college because elevating their draft stock could mean making much more NBA money early in their careers, James doesn't have to worry much about the financial aspect if he joins a team on a small rookie contract.
Is there a chance James would be drafted if he declared? Absolutely. Freshmen are finding it harder to make an immediate impact at the college level in the era of the transfer portal and COVID-year seniors. James was a highly-regarded prospect out of high school, independent of his father, and it's not uncommon for NBA teams to take fliers on highly-ranked recruits who struggled as freshmen. GG Jackson, drafted 45th overall by the Grizzlies in 2023, is one recent example.
The allure of potentially bringing in LeBron, even as he approaches 40 years old, could also motivate a team to use a late pick on Bronny under the right circumstances.
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LeBron's comments asking for an end to speculation about his son's decision came in response to ESPN's future mock draft including James as a 2025 selection.
While there's no indication James' inclusion in the 2025 mock draft was based on real information about his future plans, it's the latest sign that most prospects in the 19-year-old's situation would wait at least one more year to turn pro. James is a unique case, however, and Paul's comments on Saturday make it clear that fit will trump draft status as it relates to the decision.
