"LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny" - Rich Paul offers insight into draft plans for superstar client
Bronny James has been under the limelight as of late with the upcoming NBA draft, which Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul highlighted regarding LeBron James' involvement. There are circulating narratives that the Lakers star is set on playing alongside his son on the same team. However, Paul clarified that James' stance on the 2024-25 season isn't solely based on which team his son plays for.
Ahead of draft day, Bronny James is projected to be a late second-round pick as scouts remain split on his potential as a professional athlete. The defensive upside and basketball IQ are there but his questionable shotmaking is something that continues to be monitored.
On Wednesday, Rich Paul shared his comments in an interview with ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
"LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny," Paul said. "... There's no deal made that it's guaranteed that if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he [LeBron] will re-sign. If that was the case, I would force them to take him at 17. ... The Lakers can draft Bronny and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. ..."
Paul made sure that he cleared the air on any notions that the only way to convince LeBron James to remain part of the Lakers squad next season is if they select Bronny in this year's draft class.
He added an interesting nugget regarding the possibility of James banding forces with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker at the Phoenix Suns. Given the superteam potential of that move, Rich Paul reassured fans and the league that no such thing would be happening.
Rich Paul clarified the reasoning behind Bronny James only having select workouts with certain teams
As of now, the USC Trojans guard has done workouts for the Suns and the Lakers. There is no official update on possible sessions with other teams. Interestingly, ESPN reported that league sources from other teams have encountered challenges in securing one with LeBron James' son.
However, Rich Paul clarified this sentiment by stating that the ongoing process with Bronny is all calculated, as per ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
"This is nothing new," Paul said. "The goal is to find a team that values your guy and try to push him to get there. It's important to understand the context and realize that this has always been the strategy with many of my clients throughout the years, especially those in need of development like Bronny. My stuff is by design."
From Paul's perspective, he wanted to create a workout process for Bronny James that only involved teams who knew what they wanted out of the prospect and to bring the best out of him. He highlighted that it was "by design" that didn't involve any special or exclusive treatment for his client.
Be that as it may, it remains to be seen if LeBron James' son will work out with any more teams before draft day arrives.