Sources from a half-dozen NBA teams have told KeynoteUSA they have had difficulty getting workouts with 2024 Draft prospect Bronny James, but the former USC guard’s agent confirms James has worked out individually for just two teams at this time. the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, and he says that’s by design.
Agent Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports Group, responded to KeynoteUSA on Wednesday about any notion that James was treated differently than other players during the pre-draft process.
The Suns have the 22nd pick and the Lakers have the 17th and 55th picks in the NBA draft, which will be held June 26-27 in New York (KeynoteUSA/KeynoteUSA/KeynoteUSA+).
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Other NBA teams have told KeynoteUSA that they are interested in seeing James in a different context and training environment than the one they explored at USC.
“This is nothing new,” Paul said. “The goal is to find a team that values your guy and try to push him to get there. It’s important to understand the context and realize that this has always been the strategy with many of my clients over the years, especially those who need development like Bronny. My things are by design.”
Paul pointed to his history of directing clients to preferable destinations, as he did with Talen Horton-Tucker (No. 46 pick in 2019), Brandon Boston Jr. (No. 51 pick in 2021) and Chris Livingston (No. 58 pick). pick in 2023), all got guaranteed deals despite doing little training and being chosen late in the draft.
Paul said he also adopted similar strategies with first-round picks like MarJon Beauchamp (No. 24 pick in 2022) and Darius Garland (No. 5 pick in 2019), shielding his clients from workouts and withholding medical information from teams, something that that is now prohibited by the NBA collective bargaining agreement.
“Bronny is just like my previous clients,” Paul said. “I told teams from the beginning that if you plan on bringing in Bronny, here’s what you need to know: If you don’t give him a real deal, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s hard to get real development on a two-way deal. .
“I don’t care if he goes to the Lakers, or Phoenix, or what number they pick him. It’s about being in shape.”
Paul later added: “If Bronny’s name was Charles Jacobsen and he was my client, I would do the same thing: identify teams that have a real interest.”
LeBron James has said in the past that he would like to team up with his son, but the Lakers star said after his final game of this season that he hasn’t “thought much lately” about playing alongside Bronny. The four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion just completed his 21st season and could become a free agent if he opts out of his contract with the Lakers.
“The young man is going to decide what he wants to do and how he wants his career to go,” LeBron James said at the time.
At the NBA Draft Combine in May, Bronny said his mindset wasn’t so much playing with his dad but rather “getting to the league.”
“LeBron doesn’t have the idea of having to play with Bronny,” Paul told KeynoteUSA on Wednesday. “If he does, he does. But if he doesn’t, he doesn’t. There has been no deal made that guarantees that if the Lakers draft Bronny at age 55, he (LeBron) will re-sign. If that were the case, I would force them to take him at 17. We don’t need leverage. The Lakers can draft Bronny and LeBron won’t re-sign either. We can squash that now.
“There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto. If it’s not the Lakers, it will be someone else. Minnesota would love to have Bronny, but I don’t know who will own him.” be (Mavs GM) Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny. If the Lakers don’t take him at 55, Dallas would take him at 58 and give him a guaranteed deal. Masai (Ujiri, president of the Raptors) loves him. They could take him without even seeing him at 31 years old. “Training is not everything for these teams.”
With a week left until the draft, Paul says Bronny is likely done with training unless something unexpected happens.
“Lakers and Phoenix, that was it,” Paul said. “There could be last minute things, if someone calls me late. We’ll see.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by the NBA, NCAA and international teams.
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