LeBron James Jr., aka Bronny James, threw his hat in the ring for the 2024 NBA draft. This wasn’t surprising news, as his father has been talking about how badly he wants to play with his son before he retires. The Los Angeles Lakers star is getting up there in age and likely reaching the point of retirement. It’ll be a sad day when LeBron James hangs up the hightops, but the world will get to see how Bronny James’s story pans out still.
Recently reported by Shams Charania and The Athletic, Bronny has declined workouts with roughly ten teams. This is shocking, considering his freshman-year stats. You would think he’d want to be seen by as many teams as possible. However, there are two teams that have locked in a visit from James Jr.
Bronny James Will Get Drafted This Year
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Whether you like it or not Bronny is going to be on an NBA roster next season. Agent Rich Paul has already made a statement that the young player will not be signing a two-way, meaning we won’t be seeing James Jr. on a G-League team. So, the question that remains is where will Bronny James be drafted to.
There have been discussions all over the internet about where the USC freshman could find himself. The belief is that where Bronny goes, his father will go. This is a major incentive for teams that have the room to pay a LeBron James salary and need to add a little to their arsenal. However, it’s also a major gamble. LeBron won’t be in the league long and Bronny is not a fully developed player yet. Wasting a draft pick on him and throwing a bag at his father could blow up a working roster.
Also Read: Rumor: Bronny James Drawing Interest From Intriguing Western Conference Team
Los Angeles Lakers Look to Keep LeBron James
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After a tough season, the Lakers don’t want to see their star walk out the door to follow his son. They know that drafting Bronny James could secure the older James for a little while longer. If James declines his 2024-25 player option, he’d be a free agent meaning the Lakers wouldn’t be able to gain any assets through a trade. However, I firmly believe LeBron James wants to retire in LA as long as the roster consists of his son.
I also think that Bronny James can grow to be a solid player, even if it is with him coming off the bench. His build could turn him into a defensive menace. Personally, I believe Bronny James should’ve done one more year in college to gain more experience and growth. At his current status, his impact on the Lakers would be minimal. Obviously, his recent health scare could be effecting his play, but there is no guarentee that he’ll become a star. This Lakers team needs a young rookie who could be a future leader for a struggling team.
Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers: What a Donovan Mitchell Team Would Look Like in 2024-25
Phoenix Suns Hoping For One More Super Team Shot
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The Phoenix Suns had a disappointing playoff experience when they got swept by the hot Minnesota Timberwolves team in round one. Their Big Three, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant could not get the job done. However, rumors are bubbling that Phoenix has their eyes on another juggernaut to add to the ‘super team.’
It’s believed that the Suns are looking to make a run at LeBron James by drafting Bronny James at number 22. This is a very possible thing that could happen. Do I think this is a good move? No. However, there are a lot of teams who would give up their whole roster for a chance at the G.O.A.T., so I’m not shocked. Depending on how this workout goes, Bronny James and his father could be donning Phoenix Suns jerseys next season.
Also Read: Phoenix Suns Owner Makes Bold Claim Following 2024 Playoff Sweep
Another Team That Could Pick Up James Jr.
As stated online, this draft class is weak compared to the past few years. There might be a few teams willing to take a swing at Bronny because there isn’t any better move to make. A team that could benefit from him is the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have been dealing with a lot of injuries recently causing them to have a horrible year. As stated above Bronny has the build to be an absolute dog on defense. If he were to go to the Grizzlies, he would have the opportunity to learn from one of the biggest defensive menaces there is: Marcus Smart. However, chances of Memphis getting Bronny James in the second round are slim.
About the Author
Elizabeth is an avid watcher of all thing;s sports. However, the Boston sports teams will always be her number one. Her favorite sport to watch is basketball, but she also enjoys professional wrestling, soccer, and baseball. She also loves writing about anything ranging from sports articles, short stories, and poems. She hopes to one day write her own sci-fi series and adventure series. You can find her on X @edellapiana1 to check out more content.
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