NBA Draft 2024: Mat Ishbia Could Back Out Of Bronny James Pursuit & LeBron’s Pivot Isn’t The Cause

With only days left for the 2024 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns may look to gamble their way out of misery. Earlier reports stated that the Valley Side looked to rope in Bronny James with their 22nd pick. Insiders also revealed that the 19-year-old has agreed to a tryout session ahead of the Draft. However, the latest update from a veteran radio host suggested that the Suns may move away from the idea and LeBron James’ hot pursuit to play alongside his son is not the reason.

Following an embarrassing series in playoffs, Kevin Durant & Co. have an imposing financial threat staring at their face. The threat not only restricted them from trading players but also left them in fear of losing their stars. Moreover, if they miss out on the draft this year, they have to wait for a few more seasons as they gassed out their first-round picks until 2029. Notably, if that’s the case, the team has to make the most of the upcoming draft day.

The Suns only have the 22nd pick this year. And in order to maximize the number of picks, the team has to trade down their draft pick. John Gambadoro, a 27-year experienced sports radio show host, revealed that the Suns are “open for business” involving their 22nd pick. Gambadoro hasn’t discussed their trade-down scenarios yet, but at the same time, they may also move up to meet their potential candidate.

The 2024 Draft has a lot of options, ranging from big men to guards, so it’s unsure whether Bronny James is still on the cards. At the same time, LeBron James has certainly moved away from the idea of playing alongside his son, as per Rich Paul. He also added that King James wouldn’t move to the Suns for a minimum deal just to play alongside his son.

What is the probable trade-down situation for the Suns?

The New York Knicks have 24, 25 picks in the first round and 38th pick in the second round. If the Suns could manage to trade down their 22nd pick with the Knicks for the 25th pick, the Valley side could also fancy the 38th pick. Instead of gambling with one rookie, the team can at least get some positive minutes from their rookie.

Following the playoff exit, the Suns became a talking point in the NBA world because of their financial crunch. The team has breached the second apron of the luxury tax. And it threw them into a prison with a lot of restrictions. They can’t aggregate salaries, they can’t utilize cash, and most importantly, they can only sign up players in free agency who are on veteran minimum deals. Moreover, the projected player salary could reach up to $328.7 million in the coming years. All this for roping in two superstars, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

So maybe a few days after the Draft or even before that, the NBA world can witness a blockbuster trade out of the Suns. Will it be the Slim Reaper? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this video