CBB analyst gets real on the untouched potential of Bronny James had he stayed in college: "Could have been an all-league high-major player"
Bronny James was drafted as the 55th overall pick by the LA Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday night in Brooklyn, New York. The pick has generated a lot of discussion across the basketball world as Bronny is the son of NBA and basketball legend LeBron James.
Jeff Goodman has now presented his own opinion on the whole draft saga. The basketball analyst believes the point guard should have returned to USC for a couple more seasons. As per Goodman, Bronny has the potential to become a top player in the college landscape before making his way to the NBA.
“My issue with all this discussion about Bronny James is that most of these people have never, ever seen this kid play. Nice player. IMO, could have been an all-league high-major player by the time he was a junior or senior in college," Goodman wrote.
The Jameses are set to make history in the NBA
While the talk around his selection by the Lakers continues, Bronny James is set to make history with his father, LeBron James, in the NBA. They are set to become the first father-son duo to play together in the history of the league.
LeBron James has been vocal about his dream to play alongside Bronny on the same NBA team over the past few years.
Rich Paul stopped other teams from picking Bronny James, claims analyst
LeBron James' agent Rich Paul played an active role in ensuring Bronny James landed in the Lakers by stopping others from drafting him, as per a claim. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers during his appearance on ESPN’s NBA Draft show.
"Rich Paul’s calling teams and saying, ‘Don’t take Bronny James,’" said Bob Myers. "He’s saying, ‘Don’t take him. If you take him, he’s going to Australia'. So he has a plan, and he has a place."
"I think we can all imagine what the goal is for Rich Paul in that situation. There’s a difference between hoping that happens and making sure that happens."
A host of NBA teams were said to be interested in selecting Bronny in the second round of the draft despite his underwhelming freshman season at USC. The alleged intervention by Rich Paul is seen as a ploy to nail LeBron down to the Lakers as his future with the team was said to be uncertain.