The Bronny James Dilemma: Is He Ready for the NBA or Should He Stay in School?

Over the past few years, Bronny James has grown to be one of the basketball public’s biggest fascinations. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer LeBron James’ kid Bronny was a four-star recruit who received invitations to the Nike Hoop Summit and McDonald’s All-American game. Excitement was growing for his professional career and there were even rumors that he would play alongside his father soon. Although The Athletic’s 2024 NBA mock draft never ranked Bronny James as a first-round pick, other reliable predictions had him in that range going into the season.

However, James’s first collegiate season did not go as expected. He went into cardiac arrest in July, and while he was cleared to play again in the middle of the autumn, his performance at USC was below first-round level. James nevertheless made the decision to use the transfer portal and the NBA Draft while still being eligible to play in college. Next season, he will probably play for another college or in a professional league.

What you should know about James’ circumstances and future as a professional is provided here.

What is the NBA version of Bronny James’ game, and how does it work there?

James was listed by USC as a 6-foot-4 guard, but most scouts think that when he gets measured at the NBA Draft Combine, he will probably be listed at 6-3 or possibly even 6-2. At 210 pounds, he boasts a robust build and an NBA-caliber explosiveness and power combo.

James is become a defense-first player by NBA standards. He attacks at the point of attack, is physically strong enough to disable most opposing guards, and fights at the point of assault. He also has excellent game sense and is a skilled team defender. James is physically strong enough to deter big wing creators from pursuing him, even though he presumably can not switch efficiently enough to stop them. Even though he is a little undersized for an NBA off guard, he can immediately hold his own on defense.

James is not quite an NBA-caliber offensive talent, which is the issue. In 19.3 minutes a game, he only managed 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, shooting only 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three. In high school, he demonstrated far greater shooting potential than he did in college. His mechanics are sound in and of themselves. Maybe he had been out of rhythm since the offseason, when he was not cleared to play. However, there is not any proof that he can shoot the 3-point line in the NBA with consistency just yet.

James is a skilled passer who has good court vision, much like his father, but he lacks skill as a ballhandler or driver and is not very cunning or sly off the bounce. He found it difficult to produce half-court paint touches, even while attacking closeouts with a lot of screens. He does not cover ground rapidly with his first step and stride length, nor does he alter direction or pace all that effectively.

Overall, this season, James was too simple to defend. Because of his erroneous jumper, opponents could easily stay in front of him and finish out short. He only made nine of his 27 non-3, non-layup 2-point tries, indicating that he did not have much of an in-between game either. James needs to improve his ballhandling significantly if he wants to be an offensive player on par with those in the NBA.

Assume that James’ real name was Braun Jones and that he was not the 30th-greatest NBA player to have ever played. How would NBA teams actually feel about him?

A straightforward question: “Removing his name from the equation, where would Bronny James be drafted in 2024 if it was entirely based on the attributes of his game?” was posed to five NBA team employees: two scouts and three higher-ranking executives. The fifth stated they would be willing to choose him late in the second round as a two-way contract player because they valued his high hoops IQ and defensive potential, while the other four thought he would not be selected. Two of the four assessors stated that they believed he would never be good enough when asked why they would not choose him. The other two thought James had a possibility to be excellent enough in the future, but they would prefer to acquire him later in his career after another team had completed that work because it would take too much time and money to develop him.

A useful analogy is the career trajectory of Providence guard Devin Carter, who could be selected in the first round this summer. Carter is a 6-3 guard that plays defense and has excellent touch and basketball intelligence, much like James. In addition, he is the son of Anthony Carter, a longtime backup point guard who was formerly an NBA player but not as well-known.

Carter was not, in any way, shape, or form, an NBA prospect during his rookie year. Prior to moving to Providence, he averaged nine points per game while attending South Carolina. Carter increased to 13 points and 2.5 assists a game as a sophomore, but he only shot 30 percent from three-point range and 43 percent from the field overall. By then, I had been informed by a number of astute evaluators that they had identified a potential NBA player, but they thought he was an undervalued two-way deal candidate. After all, Carter returned to school and excelled once more this year, winning Big East Player of the Year and averaging close to 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. He is only now, in what is seen as a weak draft class, on teams’ first-round radar screens.

Even with a double-double in his rookie season and a significant improvement in his sophomore year, Carter was still not regarded as a first-round pick. Carter made a significant improvement over a number of years, developing into a capable lead guard, real shooter, and excellent decision-maker. That is the course James needs to take.

It is not a simple one, particularly for a player such as himself. Even some of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA were standout offensive players in their college careers. James is sometimes compared to the current guard for the Orlando Magic, Gary Harris, who was a five-star recruit and an exceptional college player who, as a freshman, scored 13 points per game while shooting 41 percent from three and 46 percent from the field for a 27-9 Michigan State squad..Before joining the NBA, Tony Allen, who is most recognized for his work with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 16 points per game while attending Oklahoma State and winning Big 12 Player of the Year. At Texas A&M, Chicago Bulls star Alex Caruso averaged five assists while shooting 50% from the field, 39% from three, and 79% from the free-throw line. SEC Player of the Year at Alabama, Herb Jones, a defensive ace for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaged eleven points per game. During his rookie year at Arkansas, Patrick Beverley, an antagonist for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaged 14 points per game and was selected All-SEC.

Though it will take several years of work to get there, the prevailing consensus is that James is on the verge of becoming a legitimate draft possibility.

Does being LeBron James’ son impact his draft stock?

Of course, more so given that LeBron has a $51 million player option and might become a free agent this summer. LeBron has expressed his desire to play alongside his son on a team in the future. Is Bronny going to be chosen by an NBA team as a ruse to convince James to sign with them this summer? If so, when would it make sense to make such an investment? Will Rich Paul, LeBron’s childhood buddy and agent, Klutch Sports, attempt to talk some clubs out of selecting Bronny in order to get him to the team of their choosing? Several front offices are inquiring about these things.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who now have LeBron James, are the team most likely to use these strategies. The Los Angeles Clippers’ second-round selection, presently estimated at No. 55, is the sole guaranteed pick for the Lakers this year. In order to put itself in a better position to choose Bronny, Los Angeles can perhaps invest early in the second round. The Philadelphia 76ers are the squad that other team members most frequently mention outside of Los Angeles. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are two of the 76ers’ key players. They also have max cap room, a first-round pick, and an ambitious general manager in Daryl Morey.

Why did James visit the transfer portal even though he was concentrating on the draft process?

At this point, it seems sense for him to keep his options open. The staff who brought James to USC is no longer there as his coach, Andy Enfield, left to join SMU. Although the new coach, Eric Musselman, has a strong track record as a college coach, having advanced to the Elite Eight twice and the Sweet 16 once in the previous four seasons, not every player clicks with him on the court. James can not say for sure yet, but he might be a good fit for him.

If James stays in college, is there another program that makes the most sense for him to enroll in?

Even though James is not looking for attention, a coach would need to be at ease with his degree of celebrity and recognition. Despite having lived in the spotlight his entire childhood, sources in the NBA and college basketball feel James has excellent character and is well-adjusted. However, having James on your team will undoubtedly get greater attention from the media. James will not be accepted to many colleges for that reason alone.

Over the course of my conversations with opposing college coaches at the Final Four, Duquesne was the school that came up most. (To be clear, neither Duquesne nor James were connected by those opposing coaches; they were just connecting some dots.) Following Keith Dambrot’s retirement, the Dukes, who advanced to the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, just named Dru Joyce III, a longtime assistant and former high school teammate of LeBron James, as their head coach. LeBron was coached by Dambrot and Dru Joyce II, the younger Joyce’s father, during his high school years. LeBron currently has a close friendship with the younger Joyce. It is difficult to think of someone the James family would have greater faith in to help their son grow.

Even said, if NBA teams are not thrilled with James’ draft stock, then expect him to go through a process to locate a new place to call home.

What role does James’s summertime cardiac attack have going forward?

James might be the subject of an NBA Fitness-to-Play Panel as a result of that occurrence. The panel’s purpose is to determine whether players with potentially fatal injuries can participate in the NBA. One of the particular reasons the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement calls for the formation of such a panel is “cardiac diseases and ailments.” The details of James’ medical condition have not been disclosed by him or his family, thus it is unclear if such a panel would be necessary. However, it would be in the best interests of Klutch Sports and James’ team to start the process as soon as there is a chance it will happen and James stays in the draft.

According to league and agency sources who spoke with The Athletic, James may face an NBA Fitness-to-Play Panel as a result of that incident. These panels can start in one of two ways. First, something in a player’s medical tests may be noted by the NBA itself. James’ medical records will be obtained by the NBA, as the new CBA mandates that aspirants attend the NBA Draft Combine and submit to medical tests. The league would convene a Fitness-to-Play Panel if it notices anything. is implemented to verify players’ eligibility to play in the NBA while having potentially fatal ailments. One of the particular reasons the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement calls for the formation of such a panel is “cardiac diseases and ailments.” James along with his

The second option is that, if the player thinks league doctors will probably notice something in the test results, they could ask the NBA to arrange one in advance of the medical examinations. The athlete is prohibited from taking part in any NBA-sanctioned activities, including pre-draft workouts, until a Fitness-to-Play Panel ruling is made. Players who may have problems are therefore encouraged to urge the NBA to start the process earlier. There is not much time left for the prospect to go through a complete pre-draft procedure if something is identified at the May combine.

As per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement of the NBA, each panel comprises three physicians. One physician is appointed by the NBA, another by the National Basketball Players Association, and a third is chosen in conjunction with the other two doctors. Each has at least ten years of post-fellowship clinical experience, is qualified in their respective field of medicine, and is an expert in the area of the player’s particular Fitness-to-Play Panel concern. They all voice their opinions, and a majority vote is used to make the decision.

For players and their representation, the procedure leading up to the official panel’s convening is onerous and intrusive. Physicians will ask for any information pertaining to the player’s health, just like they would during a trial’s discovery phase. Every file, exam, medical record, and more is combed over.

The player’s treating physician, who is confident in the player’s ability to play on, will represent him at the actual panel. It is also possible to ask the player to talk. Following hearing from all parties, the three independent doctors on the panel will interrogate the player’s primary care physician. They will then confer, review the available data, and cast a vote.

There have already been panels like this. James, like others in his position, would remain susceptible to the opinions of the specific medical professionals on each squad if he were to demand and receive such clearance. There are recognized team physicians who are less willing to take risks. As such, there will probably be even fewer clubs interested in picking James than there would be in the case of other prospects.

What action ought James to take? Is there a correct or incorrect response?

Should the only objective is to provide him with the greatest opportunity for long-term basketball success, I believe he ought to return to college and transfer to an environment where he can hone his off-the-dribble skills and develop into a more proficient shot creator.

I am concerned that if he joins the NBA right now, he will wind up in the G League, where basketball is not that competitive. Few defense-first players make the transition from the G League to a multi-year NBA career, and I doubt that any professional team, domestic or foreign, could give James the repetitions he needs to improve as a ballhandler. James may certainly follow that route, but I believe college presents a better chance for him to strengthen his areas of weakness.

However, if James and his agents feel that going pro now is preferable to waiting, then fine.

(Top photo of Bronny James: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)