Bronny James’ NBA Draft Future: Will the Lakers’ Season Determine His Path?

After a pitiful 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 25 games with the Trojans, Bronny is not projected to be a high draft pick; in fact, there is a good chance he will not be selected at all. That being said, there is a chance a team will draft him in order to entice LeBron to sign a free agent contract, and the Lakers might be that team.

“I just believe he’s going to be a Los Angeles Laker next year, whether you like it or not,” Skip Bayless said on “Undisputed” Tuesday. “Whether some Taurean Prince likes it or not. Taurean Prince might be saying next year, ‘What the hell, man?'”

“I just think LeBron wants to retire a Laker, his business is here, he’s Hollywood, he’s SpringHill, he’s got a mansion in Bel Air, he’s building another one in the Hills — their hearts are now here. As he graduates into his next life, it’s going to be here.”

In recent months, there has been much discussion about Bronny possibly joining an NBA team. Many have argued that it would be unfair to established, veteran players in the league if he did. Paul Pierce, a Boston Celtics icon and Basketball Hall of Famer, does not see things that way.

“It happens all the time,” Pierce said. “It doesn’t have nothing to do with Bronny. It happens every year. There’s going to be a guy that says, ‘Hey, we can develop this guy, and we have more time to waste with him than this guy. We know who he is, and he can’t help us any further, so we’re going to develop this guy that may turn into something.’ Teams use a signing or a draft pick on a player like that, that maybe has the potential to be an impact starter or impact role player — you use a roster spot for that.”

Whether Bronny is a genuine NBA prospect is the question that remains unanswered. At least when it comes to defense, Bayless sees the potential.

“I told you from the start: when I watched his USC games, I saw an NBA defender,” Bayless said. “I’m not saying he’s First Team All-NBA; I’m just saying he can hold his own on that end of the floor at the next level because he’s got a tenacity about him, he’s got a will about him. He’s had to have that will because he got named LeBron James Jr. He’s had to have a will in life, to stand up to the pressure and expectation and spotlight that is on him, and it manifests best when he’s on defense more than when he’s on offense. But I think he has enough of an offensive skillet as a complementary player, especially to his father.”

Pierce also believes Bronny has the tools to succeed at the next level.

“When you look at it, you’ve got to assess his will and his IQ, because when I look at an NBA defender, I ask: How’s his lateral movement? Does he have long arms? Is he getting stronger? Does he challenge shots? Is he ready as an NBA defender? Maybe at the point guard. He still has to get stronger, he still has to develop. But if there’s a team with LeBron’s clock ticking — like he said — that’s willing to take him and let him play with his son, the Lakers have to make the jump. You’ve just got to do it.”

By choosing not to enter the draft, Bronny may maintain his NCAA eligibility through June 1st, which will give him plenty of time to assess if he fits well in the Lakers’ rotation. If not, Pierce thinks returning to college is the best option.

“I think [Bronny’s] decision to come out will be predicated on what happens to the Lakers this year. I’ll give you two scenarios: The Lakers make a deep run in the playoffs — conference finals or Finals — and they’re not too far away, Bronny can go back to school and develop one more year. But if the Lakers lose in the Play-In or lose in the first round, and they’re further away from another championship than we thought, it’s time for Bronny to come in.”

The Lakers are presently seventh in the Western Conference with three games remaining in the regular season. If their standings do not change, they will need to win two games in the Play-In Tournament to secure the eighth spot and a trip to the postseason.