The news of Bronny James declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft has taken the basketball community by surprise. Many held the viewpoint that he would play at least another year of collegiate basketball. However, Bronny had other ideas. Having said that, the odds would be stacked against Bronny, as he endured a disappointing freshman season with USC.

Bronny shared an emotional message on his Instagram account following his decision to depart from USC. Several prominent figures within the basketball community reacted to Bronny’s heartfelt note. Shaquille O’Neal’s sons, Shaqir and Me’arah, were among the many. Me’arah expressed her support with a heart emoji, while Shaqir commented, “Go time brudda.” Former NBA player and ESPN analyst Ryan Hollins also chimed in on Bronny’s decision, leaving a series of fire emojis in the comments section to show his support.

While Bronny received support from his friends and family, some fans believe that he only received this opportunity because he is the son of LeBron James. But despite his association with LeBron, many experts have predicted Bronny to go undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. According to ESPN, Bronny is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

However, Bronny wasn’t always rated so low. In fact, following a promising senior year with Sierra Canyon, many experts predicted Bronny to become a lottery pick in the 2024 Draft. But a disappointing 2023-24 season with USC threw a spanner into the works. Bronny could only manage to average 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games for the USC Trojans. Having said that, Bronny could still impress NBA organizations during workouts and draft combine. However, his most likely NBA destination still remains the Los Angeles Lakers.

Could we see LeBron and Bronny James together in the NBA?

Despite initial skepticism, it’s official now that Bronny James has decided to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft. While most experts believe that Bronny might go undrafted, there are some teams that have expressed interest in him. The Los Angeles Lakers are obviously one of the teams interested in Bronny. LeBron James has on several occasions stated that he would like to play with Bronny in his last years as an NBA pro.

During an interview with the Athletic back in 2022, LeBron said, “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year.” It would surely be a site to behold if both LeBron and Bronny get the chance to play together. Even Lil Wayne, a legend within the music industry and an ardent basketball fan, holds the same sentiments. During a conversation with Skip Bayliss on the Undisputed, Lil Wayne said, “That would be so motivating for anybody. That’s family on the court!”

Other than the Lakers, the New York Knicks have also declared an interest in Bronny. The Knicks, who hold a bevy of draft picks, are also keen on acquiring LeBron as a free agent. LeBron’s current contract with the Lakers ends after this season, but he has a player option worth $51.4 million. So, if you connect the dots, the Knicks could use Bronny as a bargaining chip in order to entice LeBron to join them. Where could Bronny land? Let us know in the comments below!

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