The final day to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Draft has arrived and Bronny James will remain, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Given James’ prospects of being drafted, that’s probably a good thing.
James is far from the best prospect entering the draft, though he may be the biggest name. He averaged just 4.8 points in his lone college season as a freshman at USC. The Trojans were considered one of this year’s biggest disappointments.
Nonetheless, James is the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and shares widely respected agent Rich Paul. Word is, Bronny will only work out for the Lakers and Phoenix Suns ahead of the draft.
Also, Paul has already told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report that Bronny won’t be signing a two-way contract despite the fact most view him as a late-second-round prospect.
ESPN has him listed at No. 54 in its prospect rankings.
“Bronny’s (draft) range is wide,” Paul told ESPN. “He’s a really good prospect who has a lot of room for growth. It only takes one team. I don’t care where that team is — it can be No. 1 or 58 — (but) I do care about the plan, the development. The team’s strategy, the opportunity and the financial commitment. That’s why I’m not doing a two-way deal. Every team understands that.”
Givony noted that James gave a strong showing at the NBA Combine and elevated his draft status.
“James, 19, tested as one of the fastest and most explosive athletes at the NBA draft combine in Chicago earlier this month, ranking second among 71 participants in two 3-point shooting drills,” Givony wrote. “James also had 13 points in a combine team scrimmage.”
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26-27.
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