Bronny James to decide whether to enter 2024 NBA Draft based on team interest, as LeBron wants oldest son ‘to be his own man’ after leaving USC
- Bronny James was one of the prospects who was selected in the NBA Draft this summer
- Now the younger James must ponder the decision after his projection has fallen away
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Bronny James, the USC freshman and son of NBA legend LeBron James, will decide whether to enter the 2024 NBA Draft based on team interest and not his perceived draft position.
Bronny’s draft stock has inadvertently fallen since last July, when he went into cardiac arrest after summer workouts with the Trojans.
The eldest son of LeBron James was once projected as a lottery pick in this summer’s draft before entering his first collegiate season. Last week, Bronny was completely left out of ESPN’s latest mock draft.
The criticism led to a now-deleted social media post from LeBron in which he took issue with the decision. James’ reaction to his son being left out of ESPN’s prediction comes a year after the Lakers legend said Bronny was “definitely better than some of these cats I’ve seen.”
Instead of being a big player at USC, Bronny has averaged just five points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Still, the extraordinary potential James showed at powerhouse Sierra Canyon High School cannot be ignored.
Bronny James played for USC this season after suffering cardiac arrest last summer
Bronny’s potential NBA future has been discussed in large part thanks to his father, LeBron
“I don’t really appreciate a young player hitting the lottery as much as I value getting him on the right team and in the right development situation,” said LeBron’s agent Rich Paul. told ESPN.
“LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man,” Paul added.
LeBron has long expressed a desire to play in the NBA with his son, as the opportunity to do so only exists for a few years as the elder James turns 40 in December.
Paul added that LeBron would be “up to his ears” if he and Bronny could be on the same roster. Right now, that would mean the James duo will remain in Los Angeles.
LeBron gearing up for a fourth NBA franchise is on the table to make his dream come true.
Due to Bronny’s heart condition resulting from the cardiac arrest in July, 19-year-old James would have to be cleared by the NBA Fitness to Play Panel. That clearance was expected, considering he played for USC all season.
The unknown of entering the 2025 NBA Draft could also weigh on Bronny’s decision. While it gives him another chance to prove himself at USC, the draft class is considered more talented than the 2024 edition.