USC Basketball: Major Update on Bronny James' NBA Future Revealed

It's all about team interest, not draft position for the USC freshman guard.

Rich Paul, the agent and longtime friend of Bronny James' father, LeBron James, says Bronny will decide on the NBA Draft based on teams interested, not draft position. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Paul said he values a young player getting into the right basketball situation rather than where he gets drafted. 

"I don't value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation," Paul said on Saturday, according to ESPN's

Adrian Wojnarowski

.

—Rich Paul, via Bleacher Report

The 19-year-old is in his first year at USC, averaging 5.0 points on 37% shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. While those numbers don't scream 'NBA prospect,' the driving force for Bronny is the possibility of an NBA team acquiring his father in the process. 

Although he will turn 40 in December, LeBron is still at the top of his game, and any team would be lucky to possess his talents. 

LeBron wants nothing more than to play alongside his son. However, according to Paul, the 39-year-old wants his son to be his own man. 

"LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man," Paul said, although he noted that LeBron would be "head over heels excited if that were to happen organically."

—Rich Paul, via Bleacher Report

There would be a ton of hype and pressure if Bronny were to jump to the pro level and play alongside his father. He doesn't look ready to be an NBA player; imagine the unnecessary pressure he'd garner playing with his father. It's a gift and a curse. 

It's been a struggle for James on the court in his first year at Southern California. Maybe a couple more seasons in college would better suit the 19-year-old. It may not be what his father wants, but it could be best for Bronny in the long run. 

Bronny was recently taken out of ESPN's 2024 NBA mock draft and was put in the 2025 NBA mock draft for ESPN. The freshman guard could make his decision sometime in the coming weeks.