The 2024 NBA Draft will take place June 26-27 in Brooklyn, and while he isn’t considered a top prospect, many eyes will be on USC’s Bronny James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder suffered a cardiac arrest last summer, forcing him to miss the start of his freshman season. After returning to action, James struggled to fit into USC’s system. In 25 games with the Trojans, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shot 36.6% from the floor and 26.7% from beyond the arc.
Even so, after impressing at the NBA Draft combine, James has risen to No. 54 in ESPN’s prospects rankings and is seen as someone who can develop into a quality 3-and-D role player. With that in mind, here are the best and worst fits for the projected second-round pick.
BEST | Miami Heat
Many believe James wouldn’t have gotten drafted if it weren’t for his dad, but there’s no denying he fits the mold of “Heat culture.” Few, if any, teams are better at developing talent and getting the most out of their personnel than the Heat, regardless of whether a player is a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
After all, last season, Miami became the first team in NBA history to post a winning record while using at least five undrafted players in at least 65 games, per ESPN.
We’ve seen role players Caleb Martin, Max Strus and Duncan Robinson emerge as vital rotational pieces on Miami playoff teams over the years. Even forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. played like one of the better rookies in the NBA this season despite being the 18th overall pick in last year’s draft. Much like those players, James has a high basketball IQ and does the little things that lead to team success.
If he plays for the Heat, who’s to say James can’t be the team’s next great role player?
WORST | Los Angeles Lakers
Although LeBron has previously expressed a desire to play with his son, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul has made it clear teams shouldn’t draft Bronny expecting it will influence the NBA’s all-time scoring leader’s free-agency plans. (He has a player option for next season.) Still, The Athletic recently reported the Lakers are “very open” to acquiring Bronny to fulfill LeBron’s wish, which would more likely be an attempt to ensure the 39-year-old won’t sign elsewhere this offseason.
Playing alongside his father in a market such as Los Angeles could become a massive distraction, though that’s not why the Lakers are a bad fit for Bronny. James needs to land with either a contender who can develop him for a few seasons until he’s ready to contribute or a team with a young core he can grow with and his skill set complements. The Lakers don’t fit that profile.
Los Angeles has few exciting young pieces, and its core’s ceiling isn’t high enough to go deep into the playoffs. Once LeBron wraps up his historic career, the Lakers could be one of the worst teams in the NBA for several seasons. The Lakers must start bringing in more young talent this offseason, but Bronny isn’t a player to build the future around, especially for a franchise with championship expectations.
BEST | Philadelphia 76ers
While it might not be a priority for LeBron to team up with Bronny next season, Philadelphia presents an intriguing opportunity to do just that. After another early playoff exit, the Sixers are entering a pivotal offseason, as their window of contention with 2023 MVP Joel Embiid is rapidly approaching its end.
Nonetheless, Philadelphia boasts the second-most projected practical cap space among teams this offseason ($55.5M), putting it in a position to make a significant splash in free agency. Philadelphia will go star hunting, but it must bolster its thin bench. Perhaps LeBron would consider creating a new “Big Three” with Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey if the 76ers spent their No. 41 overall pick on Bronny, who could become a key reserve for the team sooner than later.
WORST | Detroit Pistons
Some could argue that James would benefit from joining the NBA’s worst team since he could earn decent playing time despite not being a highly regarded prospect. However, given how Detroit’s roster is constructed and the team’s relatively underwhelming collection of assets, it’d be foolish to spend the No. 53 pick on James.
The Pistons are entering the sixth season of their current rebuilding process, and after another unlucky draw in the draft lottery, there’s no telling when things will truly improve.
While the roster lacks talent overall, Detroit has a surplus of guards, including reserves Marcus Sasser and Quentin Grimes, and must figure out which ones are long-term building blocks. Adding James to the mix would make the task that much more difficult. Plus, his selection would be a waste of assets because the Pistons only have two 2024 picks to help them expedite their rebuild. Instead, Detroit should take a flier on a versatile wing with its second-round pick.
BEST | San Antonio Spurs
Like Miami, the Spurs are one of the best teams for player development. Learning under five-time championship-winning HC Gregg Popovich while playing with generational talent Victor Wembanyama on a Spurs team that won’t have high expectations for some time would be an invaluable experience for a young player.
The Spurs will spend the next few years building the perfect supporting cast for Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year. To accomplish that, San Antonio must acquire players who can space the floor and defend the perimeter. James must improve as a shooter, but he checks the boxes of what the Spurs need. And with two second-round picks at their disposal (Nos. 35 and 48), the Spurs can afford to gamble on James.
WORST | Portland Trail Blazers
Portland owns four picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, two of which are second-rounders (Nos. 34 and 40 overall). Although the Blazers have the draft capital to justify a James selection, they’re facing a similar dilemma as Detroit because they also have an abundance of guards.
In all likelihood, Portland will address the logjam by trading a few players this offseason, namely veteran Malcolm Brogdon, who’s set to be a free agent after next season. Young guards Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe are already a solid foundation for the future, so Portland doesn’t have much reason to draft James.
BEST | Toronto Raptors
Since the second round of the NBA Draft will have its own night this year, what better way for the Raptors — owners of the No. 31 overall pick — to begin festivities than by selecting James?
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Toronto has shown interest in James and scouted him during the season. The Raptors would provide a less stressful situation for James to step into because they already don’t get much coverage in the United States, and next season marks the first official year of their rebuild.
Toronto may already have its starting backcourt of the future in Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick, but it desperately needs a backup point guard. James might not be suited to serve as a lead ball-handler, though his strong defensive instincts make him an intriguing piece to add to Toronto’s young core.
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