Agent Rich Paul has been consistent throughout the process: he only wants Bronny James to have a full NBA contract and not a two-way deal, he cares more about fit than exactly which team Bronny is signed to, and there is no link between selection. Bronny and what LeBron James will do as a potential free agent.
Paul reiterated all these things in one interview with ESPN’s Jonathan Givonybut adding some new features.
First, Bronny has only worked for the Lakers and Suns, and that’s intentional. Other teams wanted to coach Bronny — Paul mentions Dallas, Minnesota and Toronto — but Paul says he’s focused on the fit.
“I warned teams early that if you plan on bringing in Bronny, here’s what you need to know: If you don’t make a real deal with him, there’s nothing to talk about. two-way agreement. I don’t care about him going to the Lakers, or Phoenix, or what number he gets drafted.
“There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto. If it’s not the Lakers, it will be someone else. Minnesota would love to sign Bronny, but I don’t know who his owner will be. [Mavs GM] Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny. If the Lakers don’t take him at 55, Dallas will take him at 58 and give him a guaranteed deal. But then [Ujiri, Raptors president,] the hand. They could catch him sight unseen at 31. Training isn’t everything for these teams.”
The other thing Paul said wasn’t new, but rather an emphatic reaffirmation that Bronny and LeBron are not linked in this process. Drafting Bronny is not a path for LeBron. To be more specific, the Suns second apron can only offer a veteran minimum to free agents, but some Suns fans online (or maybe just trolls desperate for engagement) seemed to think that if Phoenix drafted Bronny, then LeBron would opt out. its US$51.4 million. contract with the Lakers to play for the minimum with the Suns.
“LeBron has abandoned the idea of playing with Bronny,” Paul told ESPN. “If he does, he will do it. But if he doesn’t, he won’t do it. There is no agreement that guarantees that if the Lakers draft Bronny at age 55, he [LeBron] will sign again. If that were the case, I would force them to accept it at 17. We don’t need leverage. The Lakers can call up Bronny and LeBron doesn’t re-sign. LeBron also isn’t going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can end this now.”
The Suns’ only pick is No. 22 in the first round and it would be too early to pick Bronny, especially for a veteran-heavy, win-now team that should be looking for an older player who has already developed and can come in and contribute. next season. The Lakers won’t pick Bronny at No. 17 (a pick they are actively trying to trade), but it appears their floor is Los Angeles at No. 55. If the Suns, Lakers or another team wanted to buy or trade for a pick in the 40s to use on Bronny, the price wouldn’t be that high.
There will be a lot of talk about Bronny on the first night of the NBA Draft, but he’s unlikely to hear his name called in the first round. Night two, the second round of the draft, will be more interesting than usual this season because of the Bronny drama.
