If there is one name people are following when it comes to the upcoming NBA Draft, it is USC Trojans guard Bronny James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. While he is not perceived or expected to be selected in the first round, there could be a ton of teams that would target him in the second in the hopes of not only luring his father, but making Bronny into a developed player as one of those teams rumored is the Utah Jazz.
The funny thing about the Jazz's draft picks is that they have the opportunity to snipe any other team from getting James as they have the 32nd pick which would be towards the top of the second round. Not only are they interested, but Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports says that they could invite him “in for an individual workout.”
“The Jazz have expressed interest in bringing Bronny in for an individual workout and could be interested in him with the 32nd pick, sources told Yahoo Sports,” Peek wrote. “The franchise has been patiently rebuilding behind the leadership of Danny Ainge, and bringing in Bronny with the hopes of luring a superstar like LeBron could be the jump owner Ryan Smith is looking for to add a spark to the Jazz.”
Utah is not the only team expected to be interested in Bronny James with one of the intentions being to lure in his father, or in the case of the Lakers would be to keep LeBron. Other teams that Yahoo Sports mentions are the Miami Heat who have the obvious history with the James family, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the San Antonio Spurs.
LeBron James has said multiple times he wants to play with Bronny
It has been known for a long time now that LeBron James says that while he has achieved everything a player can conquer in the NBA, the one memory he wants to make before he retires is playing with his son. He said this notably in an interview with ESPN's Dave McMenamin where he did make the note that it could be “either in the same uniform or a matchup against him.”
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” James said. “Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. I don't mean like [guarding one another all game] — because he's a point guard and I'm a, at this point now I'm playing center or whatever the team needs from me,” James said. “But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
“I ask him what are his aspirations, and he says he wants to play in the NBA,” James continued. “So, if he wants do to it, he's got to put in the work. I'm here already, so, I'm just waiting on him.”
Bronny wants to pave his own path, rumors point to possibly the Jazz?
What about what Bronny James thinks and wants from the start of his NBA career? He spoke to the media during the NBA Scouting Combine and talked about the the chance that a team would be selecting him just because of who is father is and bring him to the selected team.
“Honestly, I feel like this is a serious business,” Bronny said. “I don’t think there would be a thought of, ‘I’m just drafting this kid because I’m going to get his dad,’ I don’t think a GM would really allow that, I think I’ve put in the work and if I get drafted it will be because of not only the player but also the person I am.”
It is absuredly asinine for anyone to believe that Bronny should follow in the footsteps of LeBron and fill in that void as it is nearly impossible. The USC Trojan star made it sure to understand that he desires the entire world to know that he does not want to be just “identified as LeBron James' son.”
“Everything that follows my dad, people just try to link me with that and all the greatness he’s achieved and I haven’t done anything yet,” Bronny said. “So there needs to be that divide between Bronny and LeBron. I just want to let people know that my name is Bronny James and not being identified as LeBron James’ son.”
“My dad has been talking to me after each day, just checking in,” James continued. “He’s just given me words of wisdom and encouragement.”
Bronny James on the immense amount of media attention
There always has been that conversation about Bronny where he wouldn't have this much media attention if it wasn't for his father, but that is a given. It has been commendable for James wanting to make his own name out of himself, but even he admitted that while he's “extremely grateful,” it can be a lot for the 19-year old.
“It’s a lot and it’s built me into a stronger individual,” James said. “All of this, I’m extremely grateful, but it’s a lot sometimes. I don’t ever want to be that guy and say that all this pressure is what’s compelling me to not perform as well. It’s something that I have to deal with and it’s been present my whole life.”
“I’m extremely grateful to be here and given the opportunity to be here,” James continued. “I’m just trying to showcase my best work that I’ve been putting in after the season and just take it all in.”
What the Jazz organization has to realize about James is that he has only played one season with the Trojans and if anything, it was a limited run. Bronny suffered from cardiac arrest on July of 2023 as the fact he made it all this way shows the mental toughness as he has gone though massive hurdles himself, but looking at him as a prospect, a pro scout says “he understands the NBA game.”
“It's clear he understands the NBA game,” an NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. “He still has a long way to go, but the college game is vastly different from the NBA, and he has a skillset that translates.”
Bronny on the criticism he receives on declaring for draft
In terms of the criticism James has been receiving for declaring to the draft instead of staying in school, he admits it has been seen, but he doesn't let it impact him. He also gave his expectations for draft night if he gets selected and said his parents are “going to be 10 times more emotional than I am.”
“I obviously see everything that’s been thrown my way, but I just have to shrug it off,” Bronny said. “They haven’t seen what I’ve been through or anything like that, so I just continue to believe in myself and keep putting in the work.”
“I really don’t know how I’m going to react,” James said after being asked what his emotions would be like on draft night. “It’s going to be a lot for myself and my parents because I know they’re going to be 10 times more emotional than I am. I’ve put in the work to get back, and I feel like I’ve earned the opportunity and I’m excited for my future.”
The Jazz are looking to make a splash after finishing 12th in the Western Conference with a 31-51 record.
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