NBA Scouts Reveal Their True Thoughts On Bronny James After He Declares For 2024 Draft

This week, ascending basketball star Bronny James declared for the NBA draft in a statement released on social media. While his potential as a player is still up in the air, the chances he will get drafted are pretty high, and NBA scouts are convinced that he can contribute to a contending team. 

“It’s a bad draft, and teams might think they can lure LeBron,” one Western Conference scout said, via Dan Woike of the LA Times. “So owners might take the chance in the second round because it will make them tons of money financially, and they’ll sell out arenas.”

Bronny averaged just 4.8 points per game for the Trojans, and they were one of the worst teams in the PAC-12, with just 15 wins all season. In his limited runtime, James didn't have any huge, breakout moments but he did display a certain level of maturity and understanding of the game that will be attractive to many prospective teams.

“The things he does well help really good teams,” the executive said. “[He’s got an] NBA body and is a solid athlete. Smart player, a solid on-ball defender, and can maybe become a solid perimeter shooter. Mentality-wise, he’s a glue guy.”

While not as naturally gifted as his father and several inches shorter, Bronny has developed the skills of a strong leader and relentless competitor — and that’s all a young player needs to expand his game and find his role in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers Should Sign Bronny James

At this point, it's impossible to be certain when or where Bronny will get drafted. Despite his underwhelming stats, the weak draft class this year combined with LeBron’s impending free agency makes Bronny a much easier pick than a normal player with his numbers.

While the Lakers have many flaws on their roster, picking up Bronny this summer may be a move worth making. True, he may not be ready to contribute right away, but his shooting, work ethic, and basketball IQ could provide a nice boost in the backcourt.

Most importantly, it would keep LeBron James happy. The 39-year-old megastar is nearing the end of his contract, and he can opt for free agency this summer. For years, we know it’s been LeBron’s dream to play with his son, and that dream could become a reality in as little as six months. 

With plans to potentially follow Bronny wherever he ends up, LeBron’s future with the Lakers hangs in the balance, and if the franchise wants to retain their biggest star, they will need to do everything they can to make sure his son ends up in a Lakers uniform. 

The only problem, of course, is that the Lakers will likely only have one second-round pick this summer, meaning they’ll only have one chance to draft Bronny.

But with James Jr. at his side, LeBron would likely be content to finish his career as a Laker, and it’s the way that they’ve wanted it since the very beginning. If the father-son duo can somehow win a championship together, it will be the ultimate end for the King and a legendary start for Bronny, who is still on the fence about his basketball future.