Bronny James’ freshman season at USC was a near-March Madness candidate.
The Trojans fell to Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament on Thursday. With a record of 15-18, they are not candidates for an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. It’s unknown if USC will participate in a different postseason tournament, like the NIT, but either way, a pivotal decision looms for LeBron James’ oldest son.
LeBron made it clear that he intends to stay in the NBA long enough to play with Bronny. Still producing at an All-NBA level at age 39, Father Time hasn’t gotten to The King yet. That might take some pressure off Bronny if he decides to stay in school another year.
But LeBron has a player option for the 2024-25 season, so the Lakers star could be freed up to join forces with his son if he declares for the NBA in 2024.
“It’s up to [Bronny]”,” LeBron told the Inside the NBA team on All-Star weekend. “It depends on the kid. Obviously we’re going to go through the whole process. It’s still in season, the Pac-12 tournament is coming up… We’re going to weigh our options and let the kid make the decision.”
Which decision is best for Bronny? The Jugo Mobile breaks down his arguments for and against declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.
Why Bronny James should return to USC
James’ first college season was unorthodox, to say the least. The 19-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during training over the summer, suspending his freshman season for four months.
Upon his return, James was still on a minutes restriction through his first four games. It wasn’t until the Trojans’ second Pac-12 game (13 games into the season) that James broke loose. That’s not an ideal start for an incoming rookie trying to make an impact at the NBA level.
James did not receive the opportunities he would have hoped to showcase his abilities if he planned to be a one-and-done prospect. For most of the year, he came off the bench behind senior guard Boogie Ellis and freshman guard Isaiah Collier, who was the number one player in the high school class of 2023.
Both Ellis and Collier missed games due to injuries, but James didn’t take advantage of his opportunity to shine in a larger role. His lack of assertiveness in those moments mirrored his final high school game for Sierra Canyon last year.
During James’ first season, his game was limited by the talent in front of him. He didn’t have much freedom to create as a ball handler, and he didn’t shoot the ball well or show growth in shot creation. His playing time was inconsistent, so he never got into a rhythm.
James finished with averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals in 25 games, far from what is typical for a projected NBA Draft prospect. That’s why the best thing for him might be to return to USC.
Ellis is set to graduate and Collier will almost certainly jump to the NBA. That would leave a void of 30+ points, 7+ assists and 20+ field goal attempts per game to be filled in the Trojans’ backcourt next season.
There’s no telling what USC might do in the transfer portal, but it appears James would be a lock to start as a sophomore. Many of those playmaking and scoring responsibilities should fall on his shoulders. He would have an entire offseason to improve his game and a full preseason to acclimate to a new role, something he didn’t have the benefit of as a freshman due to his heart problem.
James will likely go through the NBA Draft process no matter what, but don’t be surprised if he decides to stay at USC to prove he’s capable of making a bigger impact.
Why Bronny James should declare for the 2024 NBA Draft
Although James is widely expected to be a second-round pick or go undrafted, it’s hard to imagine that all 30 NBA teams would pass up the opportunity to select LeBron’s son.
The choice goes beyond increasing his chances of courting his father in potential free agency, although that also plays a role. In a draft class that lacks depth, why wouldn’t a team take a chance on the heir to an all-time great and hope they can unlock his full potential?
Bronny is still only 19 years old. At 6-4 and 210 pounds, he already has NBA size for his position, and there’s no telling if he’s done growing (even if he doesn’t reach his father’s 6-9 size). .
Bronny has shown flashes of professional skills. He is an intelligent and tenacious defender on the ball. Even with spotty shooting numbers as a freshman, his form is fluid. He is a connective playmaker who can play with or without the ball, making him a potential candidate for almost any squad.
It may take him a few years to become an NBA rotation player, but there are plenty of current impact players who needed time in the G League to flourish.
Celtics guard Derrick White offers a window into Bronny’s potential ceiling. White played one full season in the G League and several seasons in a minor role with the Spurs before becoming a fringe All-Star in Boston.
If Bronny landed in the right situation, why couldn’t he find a similar path to success? And fit is what his team plans to prioritize if he decides to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft.
“I don’t value a young player entering the lottery as much as putting him on the right team in the right developmental situation,” Bronny’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, told ESPN.
Paul added that LeBron, of course, would be “madly excited“Yes they came together organically but “LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man.”
And as LeBron already mentioned, the big decision will be made by Bronny.