Bronny James’ performance at the NBA Scouting Combine earlier in May put him on the radar of teams heading into the 2024 NBA Draft.
Prior to what we saw from James during that annual event, most teams had him as an undrafted free agent. The former USC star and son of NBA legend LeBron James is now seriously in consideration to be a first-round pick when the draft comes calling in Brooklyn next month.
Some of this could have to do with teams attempting to entice King James. He’s slated to opt out of his contract and could potentially hit NBA free agency this summer. The older James has talked a lot in the past about potentially teaming up with his son.
Sure, things have died down on this front with LeBron potentially prioritizing winning as his career hits its twilight. But it certainly remains a factor. Hence, this latest report.
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Phoenix Suns considering Bronny James with first-round pick in NBA Draft
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Friday that the Suns will conduct a workout with James ahead of the draft. According to the NBA insider, he’s among several in consideration to be selected No. 22 overall by Phoenix.
From an on-court standpoint, this really doesn’t make a ton of sense for Phoenix. The team is coming off a first-round sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs. It needs to add win-now players to team up with the core three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. James would not necessarily qualify.
- Bronny James stats (2023-24 with USC): 4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 37% shooting
The younger James is seen as a major project. Most teams believe he’ll have to spend at least one season in the NBA G-League. Why would the Suns use a first-round pick on a prospect of this ilk? It could not possibly to be to entice LeBron to the desert. Could it?