Bronny James was set to report to the 2024 NBA Draft in hopes to be drafted to the NBA just like his dad LeBron James. On Thursday June 27th, his dreams came true, as the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft. However the USC one-and-done guard only averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this past year at university. He shot 37% from the floor and 27% from the 3 point line. He missed the start of his freshman campaign and was limited to 19.4 minutes per game after suffering from heart issues during a workout with the Trojans last summer.
The Report On If Bronny James Is Ready For The NBA Level After Barley Playing In College
This poses the question is Bronny James even ready for the NBA? Well there’s not much to suggest that he is ready for the NBA level. Beyond his catch and shoot ability, James doesn’t possess the handle to create space and consistently create shots for himself. He did show positive signs at the draft combine in may with a 40.5 inch max vertical leap, while also taking second in the 3-point start shooting drill. Bronny also with a wingspan over 6-7, James clearly comes from great genes and he does have that same athletic burst as his father.
But is there enough evidence from his one year at Southern California to suggest that athletic ability could translate to results early on at the NBA level? I’m not counting Bronny completely out, but it’s going to be tough to compete at that level with little experience. I think the Lakers can develop Bronny into something great, but it’s going to take time he’s not going to be a breakout sensation in the league just yet, but maybe sometime in the future.
Rich Paul’s Involvement In Making Sure Bronny James Made It To The Lakers
While their were multiple NBA teams that tried to schedule an individual workout with Bronny James, his agent (which also is LeBron James agent) Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, only made Bronny available to the Lakers and the Suns, but in the draft he told teams that weren’t the Lakers that if they draft Bronny then he’s playing in Australia. Which means all roads lead to Bronny playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In an interview Rich Paul did with ESPN he says “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.” which is true, I think the only chance Bronny has in the NBA is getting drafted to the Lakers and being developed by the Lakers coaching staff and his dad LeBron.
Rich Paul will not take a two-way contract for Bronny, which would give him the availability to go between the G league and the NBA. The question is do you develop better at a pro level? or is it better to develop a player at the collegiate level. At the end of the day, Bronny’s dream of hearing his name called came true on Thursday, and playing with his dad is now looking like a reality. How a very long road of development will go from here at the professional level is the biggest question mark for his future.
