Bronny James has decided to enter the 2024 NBA Draft instead of returning to college.
Decision Confirmed
His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the news just before the deadline on Wednesday. “He’s staying in the draft,” said Paul. Bronny, currently ranked No. 54 by ESPN, improved his standing after strong performances in scrimmages at the NBA Draft Combine.
Impressive Combine Performance
At the combine, Bronny excelled in two 3-point shooting drills and showcased his speed among 71 participants. This boosted his profile as the draft approaches next month.
Bronny James Is Staying In The NBA Draft, According To Rich Paul & ESPN #BronnyJames
— Real1Of1TV (@Real1of1TV)
Rich Paul’s Perspective
Paul explained that Bronny’s potential is vast and only one team needs to see it. “He’s a really good prospect who has a lot of room for growth,” he said. Paul emphasized that they are not interested in two-way deals which limit players’ games and pay them half of a rookie’s salary.
Teams can offer three two-way contracts besides their regular roster spots. These deals are typically given to second-round or undrafted players.
Interest from Teams
Many teams have shown interest in Bronny, and Paul is working on deciding which franchises will get workout sessions with him this summer. “We’re still figuring it out,” he mentioned, noting that only a few teams might seriously consider drafting him.
I think it’s exciting to see where Bronny will end up!
Lakers Speculation
Despite various teams being interested, there’s talk about Bronny possibly joining the Lakers due to LeBron’s presence there. However, Paul stated that if it happens organically, that’s fine but it’s not their main focus right now.
“The Lakers need to look at Bronny like everyone else,” said Paul. If they value him enough and he’s available when they pick, that’s great; if not, that’s also okay.”
Managing Expectations
Paul advises caution regarding expectations for Bronny since he’s only played one college season so far. “I’m not putting unrealistic expectations on Bronny,” he shared. Although confident he’ll be drafted eventually if situations don’t align well initially going undrafted would be acceptable too.
