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Assessing the odds an NBA team takes Bronny James in the first round

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•12/10/23
Bronny James
USC guard Bronny James prepares to take a shot during the Trojans' game against Long Beach State at Galen Center (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

The biggest news in the college basketball world on Sunday was the debut of Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar and one of the game’s all-time greats LeBron James.

James turned in four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in a losing effort.

So where exactly does James stand in the bigger picture of the NBA Draft and this year’s class? Could he potentially be a first-round pick? Basketball insider Jeff Goodman attempted to answer just that question on the Andy Staples On3 show on Sunday night.

“Some games you’re going to get 10, 12, 14 points out of him. Other games he’s going to do this and score a few points,” Goodman sad. “If you had asked me what his numbers were going to be at the end of the year, I would have said like six to eight points, three assists, three rebounds a game, shooting 36% from three. Again, just making his guys better. And that doesn’t jump off the page as a one-and-done.”

Unlike his father, Bronny James doesn’t have unreal size and athleticism. He’s listed at 6 foot 4, 210 pounds and while he’s athletic enough, he’s not necessarily an elite slasher.

His game is more spot-up shooting from the perimeter. Again, not necessarily anything that screams first-round pick.

“But when you’re LeBron’s kid, does an NBA team — and I know you didn’t get me on here to talk about this, this is probably not what we even should be talking about after he makes his debut, but it’s something that’s interesting — is does an NBA team take him with the 15th pick, 28th pick?” Goodman wondered out loud.

With LeBron James now in the end stages of his career, LeBron himself could be the catalyst for Bronny getting drafted.

Goodman explained how.

“Here’s one, here’s a great example,” Goodman said. “If I’m the Boston Celtics and I don’t win it all this year and I get to the NBA Finals and I’ve got (Jayson) Tatum and Jaylen Brown and all these dudes. (Kristaps) Porzingis, Jrue Holiday. And you’re like, all right, with the 28th pick, would we burn it on Bronny James to get LeBron and have a chance for the next two years? Hell yes. Hell yes.”

So there you have it… not out of the realm of possibility.