Current:Home > MarketsWho will draft Bronny James? Best NBA draft fits, from Lakers to Raptors-LoTradeCoin
Who will draft Bronny James? Best NBA draft fits, from Lakers to Raptors
View Date:2025-01-11 06:48:08
Outside of the lottery picks, the most intrigue of the NBA draft will be to see which team takes a flier on Bronny James.
With his medical concerns behind him, the 6-foot-2 James certainly isn’t the first prospect to have an underwhelming collegiate career and was drafted strictly on future potential.
For someone who averaged less than five points a game during his lone season at USC with scouts and executives split on his actual NBA skills, James’ name being attached to certain teams and working out for others could be a smokescreen to keep other teams from really evaluating him. It also may have something to do with his namesake’s future employer.
But LeBron James has cooled on the idea of playing with son, so teams can’t tie drafting the younger James to hopes of landing the 20-time All-Star.
Whatever the case may be, here might be the five best fits for Bronny James:
Bronny James best NBA draft fits
Los Angeles Lakers
This may be the obvious team for James, especially when one of the roster spots is occupied by his father, who is a four-time champion and four-time NBA MVP. The elder James can opt out of his contract when free agency hits, and if he goes back to the Lakers for a fifth season, this would be ideal for everyone involved as his son's development can be watched; Bronny won’t be rushed on the court, especially if he isn’t ready.
San Antonio Spurs
LeBron James and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich have a mutual respect, and had the 2020 Tokyo Olympics not been impacted by COVID-19, James would’ve enjoyed playing for Pop and Pop would’ve enjoyed coaching James for Team USA. The Spurs are known for their player development, and it’s easy to see why the Spurs are a desirable landing spot for Bronny. The Spurs know what kind of worker they will get in Bronny, and Bronny knows what the Spurs can provide. San Antonio is also in good position to select Bronny. Besides the Nos. 4 and 8 picks in the first round, the Spurs have picks No. 35 and No. 48 in the second round.
Dallas Mavericks
This is basically based on reported interest, as the NBA Finals runners-up have the No. 58 pick in the draft. When asked about the team’s interest in James, Dallas Mavericks president Nico Harrison didn’t have much to say about it. Harrison is very close to James, and based on the team’s salary cap situation, they aren’t expected to be players in free agency unless they spring a trade, so drafting James could be considered a low-risk move.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns hope that new head coach Mike Budenholzer can get the most out of their top-heavy but talented roster, but in the meantime, James was reportedly brought in for a workout, so there is interest there. Phoenix considers themselves a legit contender and wouldn’t do in any harm bring in James for a defensive presence, while adjusting to the physicality of the NBA game.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons aren't taking James with the No. 5 pick, but they also have the 53rd pick in the second round. If James wants a chance to play and develop, the Pistons, who had the worst record in the NBA, could fit right in. There is absolutely no pressure to win, and it could actually get increased eyeballs for the team, who has missed the playoffs in each of the last five seasons. That trend is likely to continue in 2024-25.
Toronto Raptors
If Vegas was doing the selecting, the Raptors would use their No. 31 pick on James, and according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who is Bronny's agent and also LeBron's agent, Toronto is right in the mix to make a play for him with Paul even without watching him workout. Paul said to ESPN that Masai Ujiri, the Raptors' president, “loves him,” adding, "They could take him without even seeing him at 31."
Minnesota Timberwolves
In an interview with ESPN, Paul said, “There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto.” The Timberwolves have the 27th pick late in the first round and the 37th pick in the second round.
veryGood! (2329)
Related
- Volkswagen, Mazda, Honda, BMW, Porsche among 304k vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Sen. Marco Rubio: Trump's indictment is political in nature, will bring more harm to the country
- Fossil Fuel Production Emits More Methane Than Previously Thought, NOAA Says
- In Florida, 'health freedom' activists exert influence over a major hospital
- Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, June 11, 2023
- COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter
- I usually wake up just ahead of my alarm. What's up with that?
- Florida State can't afford to fire Mike Norvell -- and can't afford to keep him
- Pennsylvania Ruling on Eminent Domain Puts Contentious Pipeline Project on Alert
Ranking
- Halle Berry surprises crowd in iconic 2002 Elie Saab gown from her historic Oscar win
- States Vowed to Uphold America’s Climate Pledge. Are They Succeeding?
- Fossil Fuel Production Emits More Methane Than Previously Thought, NOAA Says
- Kendall Jenner Shares Cheeky Bikini Photos From Tropical Getaway
- More than 150 pronghorns hit, killed on Colorado roads as animals sought shelter from snow
- Reena Evers-Everette pays tribute to her mother, Myrlie Evers, in deeply personal letter
- In Baidoa, Somalis live at the epicenter of drought, hunger and conflict
- Fears of a 'dark COVID winter' in rural China grow as the holiday rush begins
Recommendation
-
John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
-
After a Rough Year, Farmers and Congress Are Talking About Climate Solutions
-
Why Alexis Ohanian Is Convinced He and Pregnant Serena Williams Are Having a Baby Girl
-
Fears of a 'dark COVID winter' in rural China grow as the holiday rush begins
-
24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed
-
Full transcript of Face the Nation, June 11, 2023
-
COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter
-
New York City firefighter dies in drowning while trying to save daughter from rip current at Jersey Shore