USC Trojans guard Bronny James. Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

Bronny James falls out of 2024 mock draft, enters 2025

By Eric Hayrapetian | Last updated 2/26/24

Bronny James could have to wait until 2025 to join his father, LeBron James, in the NBA.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony predicts the USC guard falling into the second round (39th overall) in his first 2025 mock draft. The 6-foot-4 guard is no longer a projected top-10 pick that Givony once had him to be in his early 2024 mock draft.

Bronny is nearing the end of his freshman year campaign at USC where he is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 37.1% shooting from the field, 27.5% from three and 62.1% at the line.

In a tweet that was later deleted, James responded to the mock draft saying "Can yall just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball ... (H)e doesn't care what the mock draft says, he just WORKS!"

"These mock drafts doesn't matter one bit! I promise you! Only the WORK MATTERS!!" James added in a second tweet.

LeBron chimes in on Bronny's critics and mock draft placing pic.twitter.com/74DwLSpJsN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 26, 2024

Recovering from a cardiac arrest incident in July 2023 and playing behind likely-future NBA guards, Isaiah Collier and Boogie Ellis, Bronny's 2023-24 season has been far from projected.

The 19-year-old prospect can still declare in 2024 to fulfill his father's dream of playing with his son in the NBA.

Regardless of when the younger James decides to go pro, his 39-year-old father is on the tail-end of his career with an upcoming $51.4M player option to remain with the Lakers in 2024-25. If not, James could very well still land a new contract that will keep him in Southern California.

"I don't think this is LeBron's last stand. I don't think this is the Lakers' last stand. First off, I think LeBron is angling to sign a multi-year deal in the offseason with the Lakers that will be nine figures," Brain Windhorst said on ESPN's "First Take".

Nonetheless, it seems as though "The King" will continue his dominant run in the NBA until he teams up or plays against his eldest son at the world's highest level.

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