Bronny James‘ heart issues won’t prevent him from potentially playing in the NBA, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski and Jonathan Givony of ESPN, who report that the son of Lakers star LeBron James has received medical clearance to be drafted.
The league office will inform teams today that James has been evaluated and proclaimed healthy by three physicians from the NBA’s Fitness To Play Panel, according to the authors’ sources. That will allow him to fully participate with other top prospects in this week’s Draft Combine in Chicago.
Wojnarowski and Givony hear that James is expected to play in the combine’s 5-on-5 scrimmages, which will begin Tuesday. He’s hoping to make an impact on scouts, coaches and team executives following an underwhelming season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game.
James was projected as a potential first-round pick in some circles last fall, but he’s now viewed as a marginal prospect to be drafted. He’s ranked 98th on ESPN’s Big Board, though teams may be tempted to select him in hopes that it will help lure his father in free agency.
His disappointing performance could have been related to his medical problems that began last July when he collapsed on the court during a workout and suffered cardiac arrest. James underwent a procedure to treat a congenital heart defect and was eventually able to resume playing with no restrictions.
He will enter the pre-draft process with an option to return to college if he’s not encouraged about his draft prospects. The deadline for that decision is May 29, and the authors note that he has decided to explore the transfer portal if he opts to withdraw from the draft.
However, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that James is expected to remain in the draft regardless of what happens at the combine and beyond (Twitter link).
I’m curious which team might take a chance on him… Maybe a team like the Lakers??…Naw, who am I kidding.. that doesn’t seem likely…
So the biggest mystery on draft night – who will be drafting LeBron?
(with) “other” top prospects?
What has Bronny done to be regarded as a top prospect?
Considering all those available to be drafted, anyone in the top two rounds would be considered a prospect. Now, is he worthy of a pick in the top two rounds, I’d say no based on his performance. Will he? No doubt.
Bruh there’s literally 123 players going and he’s ranked 98th
Let’s face it, he shouldn’t even be ranked. It’s just a professional courtesy to his dad so they can keep getting interviews with him.
As crazy as it may seem, the Knicks have some picks and wouldn’t be surprised if they tossed one at the kid as insurance if they can’t sign OG.
Hes a guard not a forward. He may have the same name as LBJ but he is shorter and skinnier by a good margin
Insurance to attract LBJ. Bronny won’t get court time unless dad is on the team.
OG will stay. They definitely agreed to a contract when he was acquired at the deadline
Of course he is going into the draft because his dad is forcing the lakers to draft him. He will waste a roster space for the next 3 plus years until he is actually ready for the NBA. Bronny will of course face a lot of criticism from fans if the lakers are not a top team.
5ppg 3rpg, obviously an NBA talent
you’re telling me you wouldn’t take a chance on the son of LeBron James? When you buy stock, racehorses or throw down a bet, you’re doing the exact same thing, weighing potential against possible reward. Drafting Bronny is a no-brainer. How much you’re paying him would be the dilemma for me, but that comes later.
If you compare it to stocks or anything else you are throwing a hail mary. High risk pick while over looking better more potential pay outs.
A Hail Mary for the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all-time is a much better gamble than a second rounder on a 2 out of JoeBlow Tijiuana Pacific with a great “basketball body when he fills out”.
Drafting a kid with no obvious nba talent and marginal g-league skills such as bronny james is a ridiculous idea.
Gambling odds are all better than the odds of bronny succeeding
I’m happy for him that he had a relatively quick recovery and is healthy now,
But Bro, stay in college. Let your old man talk and stay in college.
He deserves a chance even less than giannis’s brothers. His game isn’t there.
Atlanta will take him. LeBron will come home to Atlanta…
Seriously people, stop guessing because it doesn’t matter which team drafted him or if he goes undrafted, he (Bronny) will finish in the LA Lakers, period.
Wasn’t LeBron supposed to be prioritizing his son’s future? If so, shouldn’t he convince him to go back to college for at least another year?
Congratulations to Bronny for being medically cleared to play overseas.
Bravo!!!
In most drafts an overwhelming amount of second round picks end up being “wasted” picks and their careers never amount to much of anything. In a draft which some are calling the worst draft in history why not take a chance on LeBron James’ kid?
If it was up to me, and I was guaranteed LeBron James, I’m strongly considering drafting him early
On his own merit, he does fit certain situations. It’s hard for guards to get to and stay in the NBA; there are guards similar to him that aren’t in the league right now/are on the cusp/have backend/2way spots…I could see a fit for him on the Heat, for example, especially after they lost Kyle, and are about to lose Caleb, though obviously, you wouldn’t use the pick, unless you’re also guaranteed LeBron, but I would definitely be interested in seeing him with their summer league
Bronny can guard 1-3, is a playmaker, knows how to play/where to be, and is a really good catch and shoot shooter (release has improved, but still a little slow). He has also improved his athleticism a bit, as he has kind of always been heavy footed. That’s useful around the right pieces. If he grows another inch or 2, that would also change his outlook a bit, and I still think that’s possible, and if thosenpther things improve, he has a good shot to run with the right opportunity
But it’s imperative that it’s the right opportunity; don’t put him in a messed up situation b/c it can go bad quickly
Not good enough for the Shanghai Ducks.
spurs pick him up. lebron comes. +5 years to career.
He is not an NBA player the body type, health issue, playing style. He will get picked because Lebron but I really don’t see how he gets a roster spot. He will play in the G-League most of the year.