During Day 2 of the 2024 NBA Draft, ESPN analyst and former Golden State Warriors govt Bob Myers dropped a bombshell of a rumor surrounding guard Bronny James, by way of his agent Rich Paul.
“Rich Paul is looking groups, do not take Bronny James … in the event you take him, he will Australia.”
Bob Myers on Bronny James’ draft standing pic.twitter.com/p6mWNMAjma
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024
James, a guard from USC, is presently projected to be chosen on the fifty fifth decide, when the Lakers are on the clock. According to Myers, Paul is telling groups choosing earlier than the Lakers to not take James, pulling the strings to be able to get James enjoying along with his father LeBron within the NBA.
If Bronny is in reality chosen by the Lakers, he and his father can be the primary father-son duo to play within the NBA on the identical time. While it is a massive announcement concerning the remainder of the NBA Draft, this isn’t uncommon. There have been studies and rumors in earlier years of gamers forcing their manner onto groups by way of their brokers telling groups to not draft them. Perhaps essentially the most well-known instance additionally entails the Lakers, with Austin Reaves telling the Detroit Pistons not to draft him so he may select the chance in Los Angeles on a two-way contract.
Especially within the trendy second spherical, gamers can drive their manner onto groups who want roster spots crammed, and Bronny is solely going to be the subsequent participant who does that.
As polarizing as Bronny is, this greater than seemingly will solely gasoline the flames of detractors round his draft inventory. The media circus surrounding him will solely improve because the rumors swirl with extra depth, taking away from what may flip into a reasonably stable NBA profession. This rumor, whereas legitimate reporting, most likely gained’t smother these flames anytime quickly.
Many NBA Draft pundits have James’ inventory coming across the late areas of the second spherical, however the query now could be if groups will name Rich Paul’s bluff and decide James. I doubt it, as a result of Paul is the top agent of Klutch Sports, arguably essentially the most highly effective company within the NBA. If they upset Paul, they threat upsetting different main NBA gamers affiliated with Klutch Sports.
It’ll be fascinating to see who picks James, and if he will get picked in any respect. Will James find yourself truly enjoying in Australia? It appears unlikely, however is seemingly now on the desk.
