Bronny declares for NBA draft

[moondog80]

View: https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1776263012032143499?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet


He is also entering the transfer protocol and maintaining eligibility. But who the fuck is advising this kid? 6'4", not especially athletic, averaged 19 minutes and 4.8 points on 36.3% FG, 26.7% from 3, and 67.6% FT, for a team that went 8-12 in the Pac-12.

LeBron is just a shitty sports dad, no different from the guy who thinks he kid should pitch and hit leadoff every game.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I think the LAL own the LAC 2nd round pick in the upcoming draft, and nothing else, which should end up in the high 50s. That sounds about right, to let LeBron play with his kid.

 

[teddykgb]

This is such a fascinating problem. So much depends on Lebrons willingness to play longer. There’s absolutely a scenario where if Lebron is t sure he can play 2 or 3 more years his kid gets more money coming out now while Lebron steers himself to play with his kid and gets him a contract he’d otherwise never get. It could be the worst thing for the kid from a basketball development perspective but the best from a financial one

 

[Deathofthebambino]

View: https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1776263012032143499?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet


He is also entering the transfer protocol and maintaining eligibility. But who the fuck is advising this kid? 6'4", not especially athletic, averaged 19 minutes and 4.8 points on 36.3% FG, 26.7% from 3, and 67.6% FT, for a team that went 8-12 in the Pac-12.

LeBron is just a shitty sports dad, no different from the guy who thinks he kid should pitch and hit leadoff every game.

I'm not sure Lebron is a bad sports dad, I think he's made clear to everyone that he wants to play with his son. Lebron can opt out of his deal with the Lakers after this season, and tell any team that will take Bronny that he'll come along with him. He may be, in fact, putting Bronny in a position to play in the NBA that he may never have had. We'll see how it plays out, but I'm fascinated by it. The chance to play with your son (even if your son is riding the bench) is something I couldn't pass up as a father.

 

[moondog80]

I'm not sure Lebron is a bad sports dad, I think he's made clear to everyone that he wants to play with his son. Lebron can opt out of his deal with the Lakers after this season, and tell any team that will take Bronny that he'll come along with him. He may be, in fact, putting Bronny in a position to play in the NBA that he may never have had. We'll see how it plays out, but I'm fascinated by it. The chance to play with your son (even if your son is riding the bench) is something I couldn't pass up as a father.

I *wanted* my son to play PG when I coached his basketball team. But it was a bad idea for everyone, so that's not what happened.

He's just going to embarass the shit out of his kid by giving him a spot he obviously doesn't deserve. The scrutiny is going to be unreal. He's going to get playing time? Why would either of them sign up for this? I've never understood was it was always destined that LeBron's kid had to play in the NBA in a way that wasn't so with Jordan's or any other superstar's kid.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Brad should draft him in the 2nd round. LeBron would be a great 6th man for us.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

I’m guessing his plan is Lakers or transfer portal.

 

[wonderland]

This is such a fascinating problem. So much depends on Lebrons willingness to play longer. There’s absolutely a scenario where if Lebron is t sure he can play 2 or 3 more years his kid gets more money coming out now while Lebron steers himself to play with his kid and gets him a contract he’d otherwise never get. It could be the worst thing for the kid from a basketball development perspective but the best from a financial one

Could he now get more money staying in college? I imagine there would be plenty of people offering a NIL deal to get a channel to Lebron.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

I'm not sure Lebron is a bad sports dad, I think he's made clear to everyone that he wants to play with his son. Lebron can opt out of his deal with the Lakers after this season, and tell any team that will take Bronny that he'll come along with him. He may be, in fact, putting Bronny in a position to play in the NBA that he may never have had. We'll see how it plays out, but I'm fascinated by it. The chance to play with your son (even if your son is riding the bench) is something I couldn't pass up as a father.

Superteams are continuing to ruin the NBA!

 

[Saints Rest]

Could he now get more money staying in college? I imagine there would be plenty of people offering a NIL deal to get a channel to Lebron.

LeBron still has 4 years of college eligibility. Maybe they can join up on CFB team. LBJ finally gets to play TE.

 

[chrisfont9]

I'm not sure Lebron is a bad sports dad, I think he's made clear to everyone that he wants to play with his son. Lebron can opt out of his deal with the Lakers after this season, and tell any team that will take Bronny that he'll come along with him. He may be, in fact, putting Bronny in a position to play in the NBA that he may never have had. We'll see how it plays out, but I'm fascinated by it. The chance to play with your son (even if your son is riding the bench) is something I couldn't pass up as a father.

It's a weird choice, it's partly about LeBron being able to experience this -- which isn't cool if it's against his son's interest, i.e. if Bronny could be more like a real NBA prospect if he played a few more years of college. But if Bronny isn't ever going to be that, then I can see why they would both grab the chance to have this experience together while they can, and let the chips fall where they may from there. Good luck to them. I'm not a LeBron fan really, but they all seem like good people as far as I can tell.

 

[Ale Xander]

Brad should draft him in the 2nd round. LeBron would be a great 6th man for us.

Also shorter commute to Sam Kennedy FSG meetings for him. And easier commute for AX to yell "nepo baby"

 

[Deathofthebambino]

It's a weird choice, it's partly about LeBron being able to experience this -- which isn't cool if it's against his son's interest, i.e. if Bronny could be more like a real NBA prospect if he played a few more years of college. But if Bronny isn't ever going to be that, then I can see why they would both grab the chance to have this experience together while they can, and let the chips fall where they may from there. Good luck to them. I'm not a LeBron fan really, but they all seem like good people as far as I can tell.

IMO, and most NBA experts, Bronny is never going to be all that. Frankly, I'm not sure Bronny plays much more basketball at all, given that he already went into cardiac arrest once due to a heart defect.

And if you eliminate the basketball side of this, what are we worried about Lebron doing here as a father? He's most definitely not ruining his son's financial interest. They have all of the money the next 10 generations of James' could ever have, his son may never play in the NBA, so what's left as a dad? Spending time with your kid. Lebron has spent his entire life missing just about everything important in his kid's lives due to his work, and now he could potentially have the opportunity to spend a year or more with his oldest son traveling around, playing basketball, hanging out.

Fuck that, sign me up in an instant. Even if Bronny never plays a minute outside of garbage time, that shit is worth more than money to them.

 

[BigSoxFan]

It's a weird choice, it's partly about LeBron being able to experience this -- which isn't cool if it's against his son's interest, i.e. if Bronny could be more like a real NBA prospect if he played a few more years of college. But if Bronny isn't ever going to be that, then I can see why they would both grab the chance to have this experience together while they can, and let the chips fall where they may from there. Good luck to them. I'm not a LeBron fan really, but they all seem like good people as far as I can tell.

Yeah, this feels more about LeBron’s retirement timing than anything related to Bronny. I think LeBron wants one year with his son before retiring. But that will require a team to roster Bronny over a better player, which won’t be a problem if he comes with his dad.

 

[bankshot1]

Can the kid play in the NBA or is he Thanasis James?

 

[BigSoxFan]

IMO, and most NBA experts, Bronny is never going to be all that. Frankly, I'm not sure Bronny plays much more basketball at all, given that he already went into cardiac arrest once due to a heart defect.

And if you eliminate the basketball side of this, what are we worried about Lebron doing here as a father? He's most definitely not ruining his son's financial interest. They have all of the money the next 10 generations of James' could ever have, his son may never play in the NBA, so what's left as a dad? Spending time with your kid. Lebron has spent his entire life missing just about everything important in his kid's lives due to his work, and now he could potentially have the opportunity to spend a year or more with his oldest son traveling around, playing basketball, hanging out.

Fuck that, sign me up in an instant. Even if Bronny never plays a minute outside of garbage time, that shit is worth more than money to them.

So many great storylines here. You know a film crew would follow their every move.

 

[Fishercat]

As insane as it is, a single year of production from Lebron is going to be worth more than probably - what - 80% of the players drafted? This is going to be a fascinating storyline and I think he goes way, way higher than he should just for that reason. There's plenty of mid-franchises or those in a harder to please market that would 100% mortgage their future or present for this. I struggle to think any current title contender will go for it, and teams in a pure rebuild won't, but for those 10-15 teams who flirt with lower playoff seeds or don't have a clear path in the future, taking a 1-2 year detour on the Lebron train might be worth it.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Yeah, this feels more about LeBron’s retirement timing than anything related to Bronny. I think LeBron wants one year with his son before retiring. But that will require a team to roster Bronny over a better player, which won’t be a problem if he comes with his dad.

There's a strong belief that Lebron sticks around long enough to play with his son Bryce too.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

As insane as it is, a single year of production from Lebron is going to be worth more than probably - what - 80% of the players drafted? This is going to be a fascinating storyline and I think he goes way, way higher than he should just for that reason. There's plenty of mid-franchises or those in a harder to please market that would 100% mortgage their future or present for this. I struggle to think any current title contender will go for it, and teams in a pure rebuild won't, but for those 10-15 teams who flirt with lower playoff seeds or don't have a clear path in the future, taking a 1-2 year detour on the Lebron train might be worth it.

Oh, I think you're selling the bottom tier of teams short here. I doubt Lebron would want to do it, but fuck the production, Lebron James puts asses in seats, he sells merchandise, he can bring other players with him, he puts your team on the map immediately from every perspective, the least of which might be on court production.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Let's be honest---all of the James kids are set for life financially. They don't need to get a degree if they don't want to. If Bronny wants to try to play in the NBA, go for it. What he should do is transfer to a school that will develop him so he's more ready for pro ball. There's a certain school in Storrs, CT that will do that for him quite nicely in fact.

 

[moondog80]

IMO, and most NBA experts, Bronny is never going to be all that. Frankly, I'm not sure Bronny plays much more basketball at all, given that he already went into cardiac arrest once due to a heart defect.

And if you eliminate the basketball side of this, what are we worried about Lebron doing here as a father? He's most definitely not ruining his son's financial interest. They have all of the money the next 10 generations of James' could ever have, his son may never play in the NBA, so what's left as a dad? Spending time with your kid. Lebron has spent his entire life missing just about everything important in his kid's lives due to his work, and now he could potentially have the opportunity to spend a year or more with his oldest son traveling around, playing basketball, hanging out.

Fuck that, sign me up in an instant. Even if Bronny never plays a minute outside of garbage time, that shit is worth more than money to them.

So we’d all have been cool if Belichick put his kid on the team because, well, we all want to spend more time with our kids?

And yes, I know he did give both of his kids a job. There was a very good reason to think they earned it, by virtue of one of them having no problem finding a job post-Bill.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

But that will require a team to roster Bronny over a better player, which won’t be a problem if he comes with his dad.

A team could put Bronny on a two-way, which might accomplish a lot of LBJ's goals and not really adversely impact the team from a roster POV.

 

[chrisfont9]

Yeah, this feels more about LeBron’s retirement timing than anything related to Bronny. I think LeBron wants one year with his son before retiring. But that will require a team to roster Bronny over a better player, which won’t be a problem if he comes with his dad.

I suppose he could sign a two-way deal which is a pretty minor sacrifice by the team.

The kids are kids, it's hard for them at that age to know what they want. Their lives have been shaped by their dad's career probably well beyond what any of us experienced (aside from any "Army brats" here maybe?). There is little risk involved to anyone, since they are clearly trying to prioritize happiness and can buy their way out of any consequences (e.g.. what if Bronny's true calling was veterinary science?), so sure, play a minute in the NBA with Pops.

I guess the only downside though is if Laker fans get bothered by it. He does seem to have a bit of a carpetbagger thing there, no? Or did the title soothe all that?

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Let's be honest---all of the James kids are set for life financially. They don't need to get a degree if they don't want to. If Bronny wants to try to play in the NBA, go for it. What he should do is transfer to a school that will develop him so he's more ready for pro ball. There's a certain school in Storrs, CT that will do that for him quite nicely in fact.

I look at it this way.

Bronny James at best, even if he transfers to Uconn and develops his game, has about a 10% chance of ever being more than a guy who rides the bench, G league, two way contracts, etc. except for his name. He may never even get drafted.


Is that 10% or whatever worth it when he could have a 90% chance of getting to that same spot by playing with Dad?

This isn't 19 year Jayson Tatum or Kobe. The only thing Bronny has in common with his dad is his last name. And he has a heart issue.

 

[snowmanny]

Can the kid play in the NBA or is he Thanasis James?

This is the thing. I'd put Deuce on the roster if Tatum wanted that as a condition of staying in Boston.

edit - and nobody blinks an eye at the Bucks

 

[Deathofthebambino]

So we’d all have been cool if Belichick put his kid on the team because, well, we all want to spend more time with our kids?

If Tom Brady said he would have come back here in 2020 if the Pats signed his son, how about that?

If we're going to make ridiculous analogies, at least make them comparable. Because you're completely ignoring the fact that Lebron James is coming with him, a borderline ALL-NBA player who brings more to an organization off the court than any player in the game. You aren't just getting Bronny.

 

[moondog80]

If Tom Brady said he would have come back here in 2020 if the Pats signed his son, how about that?

If we're going to make ridiculous analogies, at least make them comparable. Because you're completely ignoring the fact that Lebron James is coming with him, a borderline ALL-NBA player who brings more to an organization off the court than any player in the game. You aren't just getting Bronny.

If LeBron told the Celtics he would sign a cap friendly contact that so long as they also signed Bronny, I’d want them to do it in a heartbeat. But I’d still think LeBron was a narcissist acting against the best interest of his son. My issue is not with the Lakers here.

 

[Fishercat]

Oh, I think you're selling the bottom tier of teams short here. I doubt Lebron would want to do it, but fuck the production, Lebron James puts asses in seats, he sells merchandise, he can bring other players with him, he puts your team on the map immediately from every perspective, the least of which might be on court production.

Probably right. It might depend on the terms of the contract, I could see some owners scoffing at a max for instance but I still think most would hope Lebron still has some juice left and, if not, take the attendance/merch gains anyway.

Regardless, I think Bronny is the most valuable 12th man in basketball even he plays 0 minutes if he brings Lebron.

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

So we’d all have been cool if Belichick put his kid on the team because, well, we all want to spend more time with our kids?

And yes, I know he did give both of his kids a job. There was a very good reason to think they earned it, by virtue of one of them having no problem finding a job post-Bill.

What if Belichick had drafted some Patrick Mahome's relative in exchange for Patrick signing here? That's the analogy here since a team would need to weigh the uselessness of your last man on the bench vs. getting Lebron onto your team.

 

[moondog80]

What if Belichick had drafted some Patrick Mahome's relative in exchange for Patrick signing here? That's the analogy here since a team would need to weigh the uselessness of your last man on the bench vs. getting Lebron onto your team.

I addressed this above. As a Pats fan I'd be all for it. It would still reflect poorly on Mahomes.

As a reminder, LeBron tweeted (and deleted) "Can y'all please just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball" just a month or so ago. If he goes through with this, kid gloves are off with Bronny.

 

[NoXInNixon]

Note that Lebron is saying publicly that he's not a package deal with his son. I guess that's to make sure that no team he doesn't want to play for will draft Bronny.

 

[bankshot1]

My sense this is LBJ confusing being a " good dad" with this vanity project. Maybe the kid is legit, but as along as LBJ is part of the deal he won't be judged that way, and how is not letting Bronny find his own way on his own, being a good dad?.

So Bronny gets NBA on his resume, and maybe thats a big deal, but if LeBron wants to spend time with Bronny, take a year off and go fishing or golfing or hitting the clubs in Bangkok. But letting Bronny carry his bags in the NBA doesn't help the kid.

 

[Gdiguy]

If LeBron told the Celtics he would sign a cap friendly contact that so long as they also signed Bronny, I’d want them to do it in a heartbeat. But I’d still think LeBron was a narcissist acting against the best interest of his son. My issue is not with the Lakers here.

I think the bolded is the issue though - how do you define the best interests of someone who has zero need for $? Yeah, it might be better for his 'career' to develop more in NCAA / elsewhere, but what if his interest in playing with his dad for a couple years? I'm not sure I can really strongly argue that that's wrong (and the funny thing is, the less impressive his stat lines are, the stronger this argument is - if there's very little chance he's really ultimately NBA star quality, then ultimately he's only in this for a few years for fun to then retire and go do something else anyway)

 

[Jungleland]

Feels as simple to me as "is Bronny up for the ridicule he's going to get if it means playing in the NBA/playing in the NBA with his dad?" If yes, I don't really see any problem with this. Lebron is still valuable enough on the court and in getting asses in seats to be worth two roster spots. And even if viewed as pure vanity project, he's earned it.

 

[astrozombie]

My guess is that Bronny gets drafted by the Lakers with that LAC 2nd rounder, plays with his dad for a year off the bench and when Bron retires, Bronny quietly makes his exit. He doesn't need the money. He probably doesn't even care all that much about the "you're only in the NBA because of your dad" chatter that is inevitable since he can live a Hollywood/fame lifestyle regardless. I also severely doubt that Bron signs with whoever drafts his kid; he is not going to spend the last few years of his career in Detroit or Sacramento or Toronto or Utah because they drafted Bronny. Bron would either force a trade to the Lakers or tell Klutch to go whatever scorched earth on whatever team pulled that.
And honestly? Power to LeBron for having the ability to even orchestrate all this. If he wants to play with his kid, how is that any worse than shadow GM-ing the last several teams he's been on? Or the constant opt outs that let him walk away if he's ever unhappy? Or when any other team hires someone's brother/friend/agent/high school coach/whatever to get someone to come along? He earned that and if he wants to do it, go for it.

 

[nattysez]

Can the kid play in the NBA or is he Thanasis James?

I think the latter. Not that I'm a basketball scout or anything, but I watched him play against Stanford live and he (1) wasn't one of the top 3 players on the court and (2) didn't have any standout plays that would make you say "ah, this kid might be something."

 

[NoXInNixon]

If we're really concerned about the kid's possible basketball future, wouldn't he be getting better coaching at the NBA level, even if he gets nothing but garbage time minutes, than what he would get by staying in college?

 

[BigSoxFan]

There's a strong belief that Lebron sticks around long enough to play with his son Bryce too.

Is Bryce even D1 level good?

 

[DJnVa]

Is Bryce even D1 level good?

Offers from Ohio State and Duquesne. He's a 3 or 4 star recruit depending on what site you look at. 247 Sports has him as a top 150 recruit.

 

[moondog80]

Is Bryce even D1 level good?

I think he's supposed to be better than Bronny? 3 years younger and already an inch taller.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Offers from Ohio State and Duquesne. He's a 3 or 4 star recruit depending on what site you look at. 247 Sports has him as a top 150 recruit.

Interesting. When I first heard about him, he was supposedly the lesser athlete.

 

[mauidano]

Nepotism at it's finest here.

 

[Euclis20]

I look at it this way.

Bronny James at best, even if he transfers to Uconn and develops his game, has about a 10% chance of ever being more than a guy who rides the bench, G league, two way contracts, etc. except for his name. He may never even get drafted.


Is that 10% or whatever worth it when he could have a 90% chance of getting to that same spot by playing with Dad?

This isn't 19 year Jayson Tatum or Kobe. The only thing Bronny has in common with his dad is his last name. And he has a heart issue.

He's not Tatum or Kobe, but at least as of a year ago, he had some potential. ESPN had him as the 20th best player in his class - there are occasionally real NBA players in that range. From 2010-2020, here are some NBA players that finished 20-25 in their high school class: Enes Freedom, Michael Carter Williams, Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Kris Dunn, Grayson Allen, Thomas Bryant, Luke Kennard, Bruce Brown, Nickeil Alexander Walker, Trae Young, Coby White, Immanuel Quickley, Onyeka Okangwu, Lamelo Ball and Cam Thomas. A couple of all-stars and plenty of serviceable NBA players. Maybe his heart issue and a rough freshman year bump him down, but this isn't a a case where his only possibility of ever being drafted depends on his last name.

If Tom Brady said he would have come back here in 2020 if the Pats signed his son, how about that?

If we're going to make ridiculous analogies, at least make them comparable. Because you're completely ignoring the fact that Lebron James is coming with him, a borderline ALL-NBA player who brings more to an organization off the court than any player in the game. You aren't just getting Bronny.

To add to that, does anyone think it's a problem that the Bucks have given a roster spot to Giannis' brother in order to help keep him happy?

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Bronny shouldn't be trying to play in the NBA, he should be interning at Goldman Sachs or Blackstone so he can learn how to manage the hundreds of millions he's going to inherit.

Edit - stupid autocorrect

 

[bankshot1]

Bring shouldn't be trying to play in the NBA, he should be interning at Goldman Sachs or Blackstone so he can learn how to manage the hundreds of millions he's going to inherit.

Bingo.

Or at FSG, (if he can get an internship there) keeping an eye on daddy's investment

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Interesting. When I first heard about him, he was supposedly the lesser athlete.

Of course he was 8 then.

 

[moondog80]

ESPN had him as the 20th best player in his class - there are occasionally real NBA players in that range.

He was almost certainly ranked there because of his name.

this isn't a a case where his only possibility of ever being drafted depends on his last name.

It's certainly the only way he's ever getting drafted in 2024.. He doesn't have size, athleticism, or shooting ability.

To add to that, does anyone think it's a problem that the Bucks have given a roster spot to Giannis' brother in order to help keep him happy?

I don't love it. But fair or not, Thansis doesn't face anywhere near the scrutiny that Bronny will. And when it happens, LeBron is going to blame the media/Twitter for not letting a kid be a kid.

The best thing that could happen here is that the scouts are honest with him in their assessment and he goes back to college. It does happen.

 

[mikeford]

it is 100% worth a late first round pick for anyone picking down there to take this kid and guarantee that Lebron comes to play for you.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

it is 100% worth a late first round pick for anyone picking down there to take this kid and guarantee that Lebron comes to play for you.

Or at least comes to your arena to play against his kid.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

He was almost certainly ranked there because of his name.




It's certainly the only way he's ever getting drafted in 2024.. He doesn't have size, athleticism, or shooting ability.





I don't love it. But fair or not, Thansis doesn't face anywhere near the scrutiny that Bronny will. And when it happens, LeBron is going to blame the media/Twitter for not letting a kid be a kid.

The best thing that could happen here is that the scouts are honest with him in their assessment and he goes back to college. It does happen.

I still don't understand why that's best for him. Is Bronny in college to get a pre-med degree? What is he doing in college besides playing ball , collecting millions in NIL money (last check, he was earning around $10mil) and getting ready to inherit the world.

I dont understand any of this conversation. Maybe as a dad with a 16 year old son has me coming at this from a different place, but if you told me, as LeBron or not, I could spend a year with my son doing what we love the most, I would kill people and eat their souls for it. I have no clue how this could possibly hurt Bronny on any level. He could give two shits about not 'earning" it. He and Deion Sanders kid were the two highest paid college players immediately after NIL deals were allowed. Bronny hasn't come close to earning that. I doubt it bothers him. But, I'd bet money he'd trade that 15mil for a year with dad.