The biggest chatter around the 2024 NBA Draft Combine is centered on a fringe NBA prospect.
Such is the case when said prospect is LeBron James’ eldest son.
Bronny James is under the biggest microscope at this week’s combine, as his flaws and positives are being pointed out left and right amid discussion of his NBA potential.
James is reportedly expected to stay in the 2024 NBA Draft, and several mock drafts have the Lakers selecting him with the 55th pick to pair him with his father and fulfill one of LeBron’s dreams.
To some, that roster spot would be unwarranted and that’s in part why there’s such focus on James this week compared to top prospects like Purdue’s Zach Edey or UConn’s Stephon Castle.
Even James’ measurements became a talking point, with the USC freshman registering at 6-foot-1 ½ and 210 pounds, on the smaller side for pro guards.
James’ USC page actually lists him at 6-foot-4, a significant difference.
He also posted a 40.5-inch max vertical jump, tied for the sixth-best among all participants.
Perhaps the biggest positive for James came in his shooting performance Tuesday in Chicago, which has been one of the knocks against him.
James averaged 4.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting and 26.7 percent from deep with the Trojans, which, well, is not good and in no way screams “NBA Draft ready!”
James, though, finished 19-for-25 in the 3-point shooting drill, which ranked second, according to ESPN. He also went 1:15 without missing a shot in a moving drill, per Bleacher Report.
“Bronny James made a ton of shots in the movement shooting drill too,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony posted on X. “Strong showing for him in day one of the NBA draft combine.”
No matter how he performs, the reality is that how Bronny fares in the Combine may not have much of an effect on his draft status.
Any team drafting him knows it will only help their standing with his father, who has a team option with the Lakers for the 2024-25 season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski added that teams believe James will help sell tickets in the G-League.
“If Bronny James is going to have an impact for organizations, not just on the basketball side but potentially on the business side, he’s almost assuredly going to start in the G League,” Wojnarowski said. “He will pack G League arenas, merchandising. All of those make him an attractive player, whether it’s late first-round or second-round. Certainly his opportunity to play in the NBA is there.”
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