"They cannot get Bronny James into their building": Draft expert reveals NBA teams' struggle with LeBron James' son amid Lakers rumors
Bronny James is one of the biggest storylines of the 2024 Draft. Even a week before the draft night, questions loom around James' future - does his combine stint surpasses his struggles with USC? Will the LA Lakers be able to draft him? If not, will other teams decide to pick him instead? If so, in which round?
Moreover, an update from Jonathan Givony points how NBA teams are struggling to get a workout aligned with James, limiting the 19-year-old's options:
"NBA teams that I talk to say 'They cannot get Bronny James into their building,' Jonathan Givony said. "Teams that are drafting in the late 20s and the 30s. The Phoenix Suns have a second workout scheduled with Bronny later this week, but other than that. we have not seen any NBA team able to work him out," he added.
"The sense among teams is that his agent Rich Paul does not want him on a 2-way contract and the range that he is going to be picked, 40-58 range, those are where 2-way contracts are handed out. So it's looking out right now that Bronny James is going to slide there (Lakers) to 55. I don't think any NBA team wants to pick him and deal with the repercussions of that," Givony followed.
If Givony's prediction sits true, the Lakers are expected to use their 55th pick to bring in James. They also have a 17th pick but are predicted to draft higher-rated prospects in the first round.
That could give the Phoenix Suns a chance to secure James early through their 22nd pick. However, they could trade down and induct other talent before the defensive guard.
Another contending team shows interest in Bronny James
Bronny James was earlier reported to have workout invitations from more than 10 NBA teams. While he has meticulously picked the Lakers and the Suns, mavericks-eye-bronny-james-2024-nba-draft-realize-it-s-extremely-unlikely-he-ll-available" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">the Dallas Mavericks are reported to be in pursuit of the youngster.
According to Marc Stein and Stephen A. Smith, the Mavericks are willing to draft James through their 58th pick in the draft. Currently, all signs point that James would be gone before the Mavs have their say.
Nevertheless, it could change if Dallas could work up a more enticing offer than the Suns and LA.