After USC's 2023-24 season ended Thursday with a loss to Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament, many are wondering about Bronny James' future.
It's not yet clear whether James will enter the 2024 NBA Draft, but an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN's Jeremy Wu that each team will definitely be drafted by his legendary father, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron. – He said he would be interested in drafting him in hopes of pairing him with James. No matter how unlikely it is to add him to their roster.
“I think everyone is preparing for him to go in the draft, and I'm serious. A lot of teams have the stance that if there's a 1% chance that LeBron goes in, they'll draft him. I will take it,” the executive said. “So I would be surprised if he doesn't come in. I don't know if he'll stay there.”
The older James has a $51.4 million player option in his contract for the 2024-25 season and has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise it or opt out and test free agency. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said last month that there are signs the 39-year-old is “looking to sign a nine-figure, multi-year deal with the Lakers during the offseason.”
Bronny appeared in 25 games for the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He made his season debut in December after suffering cardiac arrest during training in July and being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
Despite a standout freshman season, Bronny is still considered a talented athlete and a skilled defender who could develop into a productive player. It's likely that staying in college for another year would be beneficial for him, but the chance to share the court with his father may be too tempting to pass up.
It's no secret that LeBron is nearing the end of his career, and perhaps drafting Bronny will give the team a greater chance than they expected to sign the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
“The team needs the space and assets that the Lakers want, but I think some teams will take that approach, although I don't think it's likely,” the executive said.