Potential LeBron James pursuit has NBA teams eyeing Bronny James with first-round pick: Report
Following an impressive run at the NBA Draft Combine, Bronny James has shot up the draft rankings. Multiple reports suggest he could go as high as the first round due to his father's impending free agency.
This offseason, LeBron James has an opportunity to hit free agency a year early. Despite him trying to distance himself from his son, the two remain linked. In a recent story for the LA Times, Dan Woike reported that teams might consider drafting Bronny in hopes of luring LeBron.
"The father and son remain inevitably linked, Bronny’s draft stock and LeBron James’ free agency tied as tightly as ever," he wrote. "Multiple NBA executives told The Times their teams have discussed drafting Bronny James in the first round in an effort to lure his father to their team in free agency."
Following a subpar freshman season at USC, Bronny James still decided to enter the NBA draft. His strong play at the Combine boosted his draft stock in a big way. Reports surfaced earlier this week that the Utah Jazz are a team with interest in selecting Bronny in the second round.
During his lone college season, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 25 games.
LeBron James has distanced himself from Bronny James in recent weeks
Over the past few years, LeBron James has said on multiple occasions that he wants to play with Bronny James in the NBA. Between his comments and the contract situation, teams started getting the impression that the father-son duo would be a package deal. However, the 20-time All-Star has stated that isn't the case.
During a recent appearance on "NBA Today," Adrian Wojnarowski reported the latest regarding LeBron and Bronny. He said after speaking with Rich Paul that it isn't a top priority for the LA Lakers star to play alongside his son.
"In my conversations with Rich Paul, who represents LeBron James but will also represent Bronny James," Woj said. "Is that the idea of them playing together is not a priority."
A few days after the draft, LeBron will have to make a final decision on his contract. He can exercise his $51.4 player option or become an unrestricted free agent. However, LeBron may remain in Los Angeles and sign a new contract this summer.
LeBron, 39, is still a valuable player at this stage of his career. During the regular season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. Even though teams believe picking Bronny will tempt the superstar forward in free agency, all recent reports indicate otherwise.