Bronny James’ NBA Path Stir ‘Scripted’ Allegations, as Analyst Points At Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Brother For Blueprint

LeBron James is right. His eldest son indeed does have some “tough decisions” to make this coming summer. Bronny’s freshman season came to a screeching halt after a 70-49 blowout loss to the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 quarterfinals. In 25 games (six starts), the USC guard averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 36.6% efficiency from the field and 26.7% from the deep. And now, he can either stay back in college for another year to hone his skills or he can declare for the upcoming NBA Draft in June. However, the big question is: Would any GM take a chance on a player who averaged less than five points per game in college basketball?

Despite the underwhelming numbers, the allure of a potential package deal involving Papa James could still make Bronny an enticing prospect for some teams if he decides to enlist in the draft. According to sports columnist Jason Whitlock, this isn’t unheard of, since the Milwaukee Bucks did it with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother, Thanasis. In a recent episode of his podcast, Whitlock stated, “Milwaukee Bucks probably did it with Giannis’ brother. It is that type of league man. It’s very scripted.”

Thanasis Antetokounmpo has been the butt of many internet jokes, suggesting he’s on the team just so the Bucks can appease Giannis. However, while Thanasis’ role on the team might be limited, his role in Giannis’ life cannot be overstated. “My brother, Thanasis. I am the man that I am because of him. Not even close. This guy is… If you could mold the perfect brother,” Giannis said. Thanasis has been with the Bucks for four seasons and was part of the 2021 championship-winning team. Despite his modest statistics this season—averaging 2.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 7.8 minutes per game—his presence and support off the court are invaluable to Giannis and the team.

Circling back to Bronny, another option on the table is for him to return to college for another season, a path even NBA legend Allen Iverson once took. However, the rumblings suggest that Bronny James is planning to enter the transfer portal.

Is Bronny James entering the transfer portal?

The buzz around Bronny James entering the transfer portal began with a report from Dick Weiss, who initially stated, “Bronny James is entering the transfer portal.” However, Weiss later clarified that it was his personal perspective, not a confirmed fact, saying, “can’t confirm Bronny James story guys. still think its an idea whose time has come. make sense if it happens. I love the kid, think he could be a star elsewhere.” However, if he does enter the portal, Ohio State Buckeyes are rumored to be the likely destination.

They were heavily involved in the 19-year-old’s recruitment process and could revisit the opportunity once again. Another interesting option for him would be the Duquesne Dukes, a team his father has been actively cheering on. Dukes’ head coach Keith Dambrot trained James before he entered the league, while associate head coach Dru Joyce III was his teammate and close friend in Akron, Ohio. But if he does not want to leave the bright lights of LA and stay close to his family, UCLA could also be an appealing option.

Whatever decision Bronny ends up making, LeBron James will always be there to support him. He said as much after the Lakers’ 128-111 win over the Toronto Raptors, “I don’t know where [the reports] came from but at the end of the day, Bronny is his own man and he has some tough decision to make. As his family, we gonna support whatever he does.”

What are your thoughts on the entire transfer portal saga? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: Bronny James Is Channeling Father LeBron’s ‘Quitting Mentality’ in USC Transfer Saga, Claims Veteran Journalist