Can Bronny James make the NBA if he's not drafted? All you need to know about LeBron James' son's prospects
Bronny James' NBA dream isn't over yet, as he was originally expected to be drafted in the second round of the two-day event. The 2024 NBA Draft had a strong start with the Atlanta Hawks taking Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick.
The 19-year-old guard's future could end up not getting drafted by any NBA franchise, but that wouldn't mean the end of his basketball journey. That said, the player still would have several options to try to make it to the association outside the draft.
In case somebody's wondering if he can make it to the NBA as an undrafted player, yes he can. We've seen plenty of these cases before, with some players finding success in the league.
In 2022, Fred VanVleet became the first undrafted player to become an All-Star since Ben Wallace in 2006. The Detroit Pistons legend also became the first undrafted player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
This means that Bronny James not getting drafted wouldn't be the end of the world for him, and it could open new doors for him.
What happens if Bronny James goes undrafted?
As stated before, he could find a way to make it to the NBA even if he goes undrafted. For starters, he could sign a deal as an undrafted free agent. He could also sign a two-way deal that would make him spend time between the G League and the NBA.
Signing a deal as a UFA would be the best option for Bronny James. He would have the chance to compete for a spot on a roster and develop his game, spending most of his time in the NBA.
The Miami Heat was mentioned as a potential landing spot for Bronny ahead of the draft, and if they land the player as an undrafted free agent, history shows that they can make wonders with James.
A third option is that Bronny decides to try his luck in the NBA or play overseas to try to get attention from NBA teams. Patrick Beverley and PJ Tucker took that path and they ended up becoming solid role players upon their returns to the league.
He could also get a Summer League deal with a team to showcase his talents and see if he can get a team to sign him.
Bronny still has plenty of options for tomorrow, as 28 more players will be selected to play in the NBA. The Jazz at 32, the Lakers at 55, the 76ers at 41, the Heat at 43, the Grizzlies at 57 and the Mavericks at 58 could end up acquiring Bronny James' services in a matter of hours.