Is Bronny James ready for the NBA? Teams forming consensus on this key trait during evaluation process

Bronny James had a challenging first season with the USC Trojans after missing time due to suffering cardiac arrest in July. Yet, after playing in 25 games for the Trojans, James decided to enter his name in the 2024 NBA Draft anyway, where he’d get the chance to share the same floor as his iconic dad, LeBron James.

However, Bronny’s decision also came with a caveat, where he also entered the NCAA transfer portal to keep all his options open. With the choice to either enter the NBA, return to USC, or find a new college team, Bronny’s future is uncertain.

Yet, being that he was willing to enter the NBA Draft, it’s possible that Bronny is trying to get a feel for how pro teams currently value the 19-year-old’s skillset. Not hyped as a top prospect, Bronny’s NBA Draft window is anywhere from becoming a mid-first-round pick to landing in the second round. Obviously, the latter wouldn’t be a good look for the son of a basketball legend, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world for his NBA future.

While Bronny is far from a top NBA Draft prospect, there are certain traits that teams are already drawn to with James.

“Bronny James is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, but he’s also maintaining his college eligibility…When I talk to NBA teams there’s a clear consensus that as a defender he’s already at that caliber of an NBA defender.”

Shams Charania on LeBron James

At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Bronny projects as a shooting guard at the next level. If he can guard positions 1-3 with ease, then he will certainly earn a role in the NBA.

Yet, as we know, you can’t thrive off just playing strong defense alone. He’ll have to continue developing his shot too, just like his father has done since arriving as a 19-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio in 2003.

Related: Insider expects LeBron James to opt out from Los Angeles Lakers contract, test NBA free agency