2024 NBA Draft: Should Bronny James Stay In This Year’s Draft?

It was reported recently that the decision for Bronny James to enter the 2024 NBA Draft will be based on team interest rather than how high he’s drafted. Is that the right decision?

It’s no secret that Bronny James is one of the most well known players in college basketball due to being the son of one of the greatest players of all time, LeBron James. But that shouldn’t takeaway from his ability to play.

Rich Paul recently came out and said that James' decision to enter the 2024 NBA Draft is based on “team interest, not draft position.” Paul also went on to say, “I don't value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation.”

This quote is fascinating due to how much James’ stock has been slipping recently due to the up and down season he’s having. It’s a blessing he’s even playing this season, before his first game in college basketball he suffered cardiac arrest and was hospitalized for three days. James’ underwent a procedure to treat a congenital heart defect. The fact he even was able to play this year is a miracle, but it also shows how tough-minded James is.

Now that we’re getting down to the end of the season, the big question is: should James remain in the 2024 NBA Draft? It’s clear that he will test the waters like most players should, but is it smart for him to keep his name in the draft or would it be smart to pull it out is the question. James in 21 games played this year is averaging five points, three rebounds and two assists while shooting 37% from the field and 27.5% from behind the arc.

With James suffering cardiac arrest before the season started, his USC squad having a losing record and him statistically having a down year, it’s obvious this season didn’t go as planned. Nonetheless James is still considered a very enticing prospect due to his role projection and solid floor.

He’s a tough-nosed defender that has the ability and physical tools to be one of the top defenders in the NBA. James can really disrupt an opposing team’s offense and be an elite point of attack defender. Offensively, he’s at his best as a secondary creator, as he doesn’t really have a score-first mindset. James is a good playmaker that plays an unselfish style of basketball. Despite shooting below 30% from behind the arc, he’s a much better shooter than what his percentage shows. He’s a very good shooter off the catch and has legit upside to be a consistent knockdown shooter.

There’s a lot to like about James’ game as he could serve as a 3-and-D combo guard with the ability to create for others and not make selfish plays on the court. The 6-foot-4 guard needs to be in an organization that wants to win right away, as that’s where we could see him thrive with how talented he is. If the right team comes calling and guarantees James a spot on a roster, I do believe it’s a good idea for him to remain in the draft. Especially with USC trending in the wrong direction. Time will tell and it will be a fun story to monitor as we get closer to draft night.

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