Bronny James declares for NBA Draft & NCAA transfer portal: He making the right choice? | UNDISPUTED

UNDISPUTED
5 Apr 202413:29

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses LeBron James' potential plans to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA. It speculates on Bronny's basketball future, whether he will be drafted or picked up as a free agent, and the likelihood of him joining the Lakers. The conversation also touches on the influence of LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, and the strategic considerations of NBA teams in drafting and signing players, highlighting the player-driven nature of the league.

Takeaways

  • 🏀 LeBron James expressed a desire to play with his son, potentially impacting team decisions and the NBA landscape.
  • 🎯 Bronny James, LeBron's son, may be a free agent pickup or draft pick, especially if he doesn't get drafted in the upcoming NBA draft.
  • 🌅 There is a belief that LeBron sees this as an opportunity to play with his son and have a 'farewell tour' before retiring.
  • 🤔 Bronny's college basketball future is uncertain; he may declare for the draft but is still waiting to see what the 'portal' situation holds.
  • 🏆 Despite average college stats, there's a strong belief that Bronny has the potential to play in the NBA, particularly due to his bloodline and innate basketball IQ.
  • 📈 The narrative suggests that Bronny's best path to success is not in college but in the NBA, where he can develop under his father's influence.
  • 🔄 NBA teams often draft players with the understanding that they may not play for the team, using picks to secure potential future talent.
  • 💪 The influence of player agents and their relationships with teams is a significant factor in the NBA, affecting draft and free agency decisions.
  • 🚫 It's unlikely that any team would stand in the way of Bronny joining the Lakers if LeBron and his agent, Rich Paul, make it clear that's their intention.
  • 🏆 The Lakers organization, particularly Jeanie Buss, is expected to do all in its power to keep LeBron happy, which could include facilitating a path for Bronny to join the team.

Q & A

  • What did LeBron James say that sparked discussions about his future in basketball?

    -LeBron James mentioned that he doesn't have much time left in his career after a game against Brooklyn, indicating a potential desire to play with his son and possibly retire soon.

  • What is the speculation about LeBron James' son, Bronny?

    -There is speculation that Bronny James might be picked up as a free agent or drafted by the Lakers, allowing him to play with his father, LeBron James, potentially making it his farewell tour in the NBA.

  • What are the factors that could influence Bronny James' decision to go to college or directly to the NBA?

    -Bronny James is waiting to see what opportunities arise through the portal system. If the right college situation presents itself, he might choose to continue college basketball to develop his skills further before entering the NBA draft.

  • How does the NBA draft system work in relation to players like Bronny James?

    -NBA teams often draft second-rounders who never play for them, either staying in Europe or not making the team. Bronny could be drafted by a team like the Lakers to accommodate LeBron's wishes and to maintain good relationships for future roster needs.

  • What is the role of player agents in the NBA draft process?

    -Agents play a significant role in the draft process, negotiating and influencing where their clients are drafted or signed. In Bronny's case, his agent, Rich Paul, could help facilitate his move to the Lakers to play with his father, LeBron.

  • How does the NBA handle player transfers and draft picks in relation to team politics and relationships?

    -The NBA is a player-driven league where relationships and political considerations can significantly impact player transfers and draft picks. Teams often draft players to maintain good relationships and to fill roster spots, even if those players never actually play for the team.

  • What was the situation with the general manager in New Orleans regarding Anthony Davis?

    -The general manager in New Orleans was fired for trying to go behind the back of Anthony Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, to send information directly to Davis. This led to Davis eventually being traded to the Lakers.

  • What is the significance of LeBron James and Jeanie Buss' public appearance together?

    -LeBron James and Jeanie Buss's public appearance together suggests a close relationship, indicating that Buss is likely to do everything in her power to keep LeBron happy, including potentially accommodating his wishes regarding his son's NBA future.

  • What are the potential challenges for Bronny James if he chooses to play college basketball?

    -Bronny James could face challenges fitting in and finding the right situation at a college program. His celebrity status as LeBron's son might overshadow his actual basketball skills and make it difficult for him to develop as a player in the college environment.

  • What is the general sentiment among NBA players regarding being drafted?

    -There is a general sentiment among NBA players that they want to be drafted, as it is seen as a mark of recognition and a formal entry into the league, even if they may not end up playing for the team that drafts them.

  • How might Bronny James' potential move to the NBA impact LeBron's career and legacy?

    -If Bronny James joins the NBA and plays alongside LeBron, it could provide a unique opportunity for father and son to play together, potentially becoming a memorable part of LeBron's legacy and offering a sentimental storyline for fans.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 LeBron James' Desire to Play with His Son

The first paragraph discusses LeBron James' recent statement about not having much time left in his career and his wish to play with his son, potentially leading to Bronnie James being picked up by the Lakers either through the draft or free agency. The conversation highlights the strategic move this could be for LeBron to play with his son and retire, and the implications it has on Bronnie's career trajectory, as well as the potential benefits for the Lakers in terms of future relationships and maintaining competitiveness in the NBA.

05:01

🎓 College Basketball or Straight to the NBA?

This paragraph examines the potential paths for Bronnie James, whether he should continue college basketball or directly enter the NBA. The discussion includes the speculation about Bronnie's skill set, his performance in high school, and the belief that he is ready for the NBA because of his defensive capabilities and basketball IQ. The argument is made that Bronnie's unique position to complement his father, LeBron, would be better suited in the NBA rather than as a college star, given the existing attention and pressure on him as LeBron's son.

10:03

🤝 The Influence of Clout in the NBA and the Lakers' Future

The final paragraph delves into the influence of powerful agents and entities in the NBA, like Rich Paul's Clutch Sports, and how they shape player drafts and team dynamics. It uses the example of the Anthony Davis trade situation to illustrate the impact of going against the wishes of influential parties. The conversation suggests that the Lakers, under the leadership of Jeanie Buss, are likely to accommodate LeBron's wishes to play with his son to keep him happy and maintain his value to the team. The paragraph also touches on the unspoken rules and relationships within the NBA that contribute to the decision-making process in drafting and signing players.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Domino Effect

The term 'domino effect' refers to a chain reaction where one event triggers a series of subsequent events. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the potential consequences of LeBron James' statement about not having much time left in his career, which could lead to a series of decisions and actions related to his son's basketball future.

💡LeBron James

LeBron James is a professional basketball player in the NBA, currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In the video, his desire to play with his son is a central theme, discussing the potential for him to influence his son's entry into the NBA and the possibility of them playing together on the same team.

💡Bronny James

Bronny James is the son of LeBron James and a high school basketball player himself. The video focuses on the speculations and possibilities of Bronny's entry into the NBA, either through the draft or as a free agent, and the potential impact of his father's career on his own.

💡Free Agency

Free agency in the context of professional basketball refers to the period when a player is free to sign a contract with any team in the league, without being bound to their previous team. The video discusses the possibility of Bronny James entering the NBA through free agency, especially if he is not drafted.

💡Draft Pick

A draft pick is a player selected by a team in the NBA draft, an annual event where teams choose eligible players to join their roster. The video talks about the likelihood of Bronny James being drafted by an NBA team, with the湖人队 being a potential candidate to pick him.

💡NBA

The NBA, or National Basketball Association, is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and is considered the top level of competition in the sport globally. The video centers around the NBA as the ultimate goal for both LeBron and Bronny James, discussing their paths to and within the league.

💡College Basketball

College basketball refers to the sport of basketball played by teams of student-athletes fielded by American universities and colleges. The video touches on the expectation that Bronny James might continue playing college basketball to develop his skills further before entering the NBA.

💡Player Development

Player development in basketball refers to the process of improving a player's skills and abilities through training and experience. The video suggests that Bronny James might benefit from further development, either in college or through other means, to prepare for the competitive level of the NBA.

💡Team Dynamics

Team dynamics refer to the interactions, relationships, and overall functioning within a group or team. In the video, team dynamics are discussed in the context of how Bronny James could fit into the湖人队 alongside his father, LeBron James, and how this could affect the team's performance and chemistry.

💡Player Agency

Player agency refers to a player's ability to influence their career path and decisions within the sport. The video discusses the power dynamics in the NBA and how influential players like LeBron James can affect their own and their family members' career trajectories.

💡NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible players to join their rosters. The video discusses the process and implications of the NBA Draft as it relates to Bronny James' potential entry into the league, either through being drafted or as a free agent.

Highlights

LeBron James expressing a sense of urgency about his remaining time and desire to play with his son, Bronny.

Speculation about Bronny James being potentially picked up as a free agent or drafted, possibly by the Lakers.

The strategic importance of the right college or NBA team situation for Bronny's future, beyond just monetary considerations.

Discussion about the leverage and influence of LeBron James and Clutch Sports in the NBA, particularly regarding future team decisions.

The potential for the Lakers or another team to draft Bronny as a gesture to maintain a good relationship with LeBron and Clutch Sports.

The debate on whether Bronny should stay in college to develop his skills or enter the NBA draft/free agency.

The unique role of Bronny James as a complementary player to his father, LeBron, emphasizing his defensive skills and basketball IQ.

Skepticism about Bronny's scoring ability in college and his potential fit in the NBA compared to college basketball.

LeBron's longevity and performance at an advanced age, raising questions about how many more years he will play.

Speculation on the political and strategic maneuvers that might ensure Bronny joins the Lakers to play with LeBron.

The significance of the relationship between LeBron James, Jeanie Buss, and the Lakers' management for future decisions.

The importance of being drafted in the NBA for players' prestige and recognition, despite alternative routes to joining a team.

The broader context of how NBA teams use draft picks, especially in the second round, and the precedent for drafting players who may not play in the league immediately.

The impact of power dynamics and relationships in the NBA on team decisions and player movement, highlighted by the Anthony Davis trade situation.

Discussion on the influence of Clutch Sports in the NBA, emphasizing the strategic considerations teams must weigh in dealing with powerful agencies.

Transcripts

00:00

this is a domino effect of what LeBron

00:03

said the other day what did he say what

00:06

did he say after the Brooklyn game I

00:08

don't have much time

00:11

left I don't have much time left so he

00:15

wants to play with his son this is the

00:18

time now bronnie is probably most likely

00:21

gonna get a free agent pickup if he

00:23

doesn't get drafted possibly the Lakers

00:26

pick him up in a in a free agency this

00:28

is his opportunity to play with his son

00:31

and ride into the sunset I truly believe

00:33

it I truly believe it I think

00:37

bra meant what he said he's seeing how

00:40

the year is going he GNA let it play

00:43

out I don't have much time left bronnie

00:46

goes in gets picked up as a free agent

00:48

or a draft pick saw my son let this be

00:52

his farewell tour and ride into the

00:54

sunset I truly believe that all right

00:57

Kean you are surprised because you said

00:59

the other day

01:00

you expect him to play at least one more

01:02

year of college basketball and I kind

01:04

of I I did yesterday the day before

01:07

whenever we had the conversation about

01:10

it I don't think well I think it's two

01:13

part it's two parts here he's going to

01:17

declare but he's still waiting to find

01:19

out what the portal is about correct

01:21

okay if the if the if the if the

01:24

portal comes to fruition there won't be

01:27

any

01:28

NBA uh draft for him this year if and

01:31

what I mean by that is if the right

01:33

School in the right situation and this

01:36

is not about money this is about

01:38

situation yeah it's not about the money

01:40

it's the right situation the right

01:42

situation comes up whether it's

01:46

it's UC Santa Barbara whatever San Diego

01:50

State whatever it is the right situation

01:52

comes up you threw out peine I just yeah

01:54

I just said pepperine just because I was

01:57

thinking it's the local school y um the

01:59

right situation comes up he'll take that

02:03

from an NBA

02:05

standpoint he whether it's this year

02:07

next year the year after he's going to

02:09

get drafted he's going to get drafted

02:11

now does that mean he's going to be in a

02:13

a lottery pick no just means he's going

02:15

to get drafted there are NBA teams as

02:18

you know Paul they draft second rounders

02:19

that never play Stay in Europe they

02:22

never play they draft them and never

02:24

play so for the Lakers or any team out

02:28

there that has

02:30

a clutch

02:32

itch to burn a second rounder on bronny

02:36

James they'll do it okay it ain't just

02:39

about it's it's about LeBron wanting to

02:42

play with his son and the Lakers is the

02:46

team that he's with right now and I

02:47

don't foresee LeBron not signing an

02:51

extension and and and going to another

02:54

team I think the Lakers is his final

02:56

stop as far as team goes and I think

02:58

jeie bus and and Rob pinka with a

03:01

certain pick would draft bronny James

03:05

okay I I believe that cartly because

03:08

they not only doing it for LeBron they

03:11

also doing it for future relationships

03:14

absolutely that they got to have to stay

03:16

competitive and that future relationship

03:19

basically is an

03:22

enforcement in the NBA he's a force to

03:24

be reckoned with and that's clutch and

03:26

that's rich Paul okay okay and Anthony

03:28

Davis on that team is is one of his

03:30

clients and then amongst other people

03:33

across the NBA you want to get to uh uh

03:36

Darius Garland the future you might want

03:38

to take a look at this I mean that's

03:40

just a that's just political thing in

03:44

the NBA you go through the NBA circles

03:47

unlike the NFL the NBA circles we play

03:50

we play ball you want to play ball we

03:51

play ball NFL they not going to they

03:54

don't play ball like that those old

03:56

school wizard dudes they don't want to

03:57

hear all that in the NBA

04:00

which is a a player driven

04:02

league if I want my guy with me Paul

04:05

Pierce see Paul says to the to the

04:08

Boston Celtics and our hey day hey man I

04:10

need y'all to make Kean the 11th man he

04:13

ain't never coming off the bench they

04:15

say okay Paul it's not g to cost us

04:17

anything check janik's box in Milwaukee

04:21

right now I mean we can go we can go on

04:23

and on and on if we really want to dive

04:25

into it you're talking about brother

04:27

check box yeah okay okay that's all I'm

04:30

saying that's that's what happens in the

04:33

NBA so he's going to get drafted I

04:36

wanted him to stay in college to

04:38

continue develop his skills because I

04:41

want him to get a fair shot because I

04:43

think he can't play in the NBA if he

04:46

just continues to develop well one two

04:47

things can happen he can get drafted or

04:49

he can enter his name and then he can be

04:51

picked up as a free agent you know

04:53

that's probably gonna be the easiest

04:54

route if the Lakers have or don't have a

04:56

second round pick you can just say all

04:57

right we'll just sign you we'll have do

04:59

that we have an open roster spot that's

05:01

that's like he can do that but he going

05:02

to be on the NBA team if he decides he

05:05

on the Lakers he going to be oners

05:07

Lakers yeah agree Lakers nothing else

05:10

I'm going to double down on what I said

05:11

from the start and I'm sure some people

05:14

will find it insane that I would make

05:16

this case because bronnie just averaged

05:18

as a freshman at your school Five Points

05:21

three rebounds and two assists and shot

05:24

36% from the floor and 27% from three

05:28

how nice of you to round it yeah I

05:30

rounded up because it was 4.8 points up

05:33

to five and he played like 20 minutes I

05:35

didn't check this but it's about 20

05:36

minutes a night I think he started six

05:38

games and they had for them a disastrous

05:41

season because they went 15 and 18 and

05:44

your coach infield is now I feel like we

05:46

was preseason top 10 oh easy I mean I

05:49

thought we'd be talking about bronny and

05:52

uh Coler right now like they'd be

05:54

playing tomorrow right playing in

05:57

Phoenix okay here here's the point about

06:00

Brony James kesan I don't believe he has

06:03

the skill set to go to Pepperdine or

06:06

Santa Barbara or Duane or wherever he

06:08

might land even Duke let's do Duke he he

06:12

doesn't have a scoring skill set where

06:15

he'd go somewhere and average 20 a game

06:17

next year say oh he's ready for the NBA

06:20

I believe he's ready for the NBA right

06:22

now because he's a very unique player

06:25

but it's almost like he was born to

06:27

compliment his father because he can

06:30

play defense at the NBA level because

06:32

he's got physicality to him he's got

06:36

high IQ thanks to his father and he

06:39

knows how to play basketball and I think

06:42

he's going to be a really good spot up

06:44

three-point shooter and I don't know

06:46

what the 27% is about but I will say

06:49

this just remember he missed the first

06:51

eight games of the year because he had a

06:53

heart condition and it was serious

06:55

business and God bless him I think he's

06:57

okay and it seemed like he came back and

06:59

bounce back but he never quite got in

07:01

the flow and got his legs underneath him

07:03

because that that was a shocker that he

07:05

went through and then the team fell

07:08

apart and it never clicked so he was in

07:10

the wrong place at the wrong time but if

07:12

you put him on the Lakers next year

07:16

LeBron would figure out how to utilize

07:18

him and play with and off him the way he

07:20

does off Austin Reeves because they they

07:23

Vibe because they they get it Austin re

07:25

just knows how to play bronny knows how

07:27

to play basketball he can defend at an

07:29

NBA level he can pass the ball he's not

07:34

he's not his father but but he just

07:35

knows how to play basketball he will

07:37

blend better in the NBA than he can in

07:40

college because he can't blend in

07:42

college because everybody says he's he's

07:45

bronny Jam he's named after his F we

07:46

need to where's 209 30 night where are

07:50

you type of player he is he's not that's

07:51

not what he is he is a complimentary

07:54

player it's almost like he was born to

07:56

play with and off his father as opposed

07:58

to play

08:00

star for USC so I I would I would feel

08:04

for him I'd feel sorry for him if he

08:05

went to another college and tried to

08:07

show us oh I can score 32 a game at

08:10

Pepperdine or wherever it's it's not

08:12

what he's meant to do and I'm with you

08:15

the clock is ticking on his father

08:16

although his father looks Sensational he

08:18

looks like he's 39 going on 29 and I

08:21

keep telling kesan could could LeBron

08:24

play five more years if he wanted to it

08:26

looks like he could if he wanted to I

08:28

just don't know because your fire can go

08:30

out like kean's did both you you you

08:33

just finally get tired of it the

08:35

preparation the sacrifice the travel

08:38

it's hard and I don't know if LeBron

08:39

wants to go through it for five more

08:41

years but a couple of years playing with

08:43

his son and again he's got a second son

08:46

but that would take two more years that

08:47

seems a little bit far-fetched but but

08:50

to your point if if it becomes clear

08:53

politically that bronnie is going to

08:55

play with his father no matter what

08:57

would anybody dare to try to draft him

09:01

and talk him into you know just saying

09:03

well you I'm sorry we have your rights

09:05

you're going to come here I just don't

09:06

think they would take on clutch right no

09:08

nobody's going to dare to do that

09:10

nobody's going to be the the what are

09:12

you saying draft bronny yeah what it

09:14

it'd be if he's sitting there what what

09:17

if the Lakers just say we'll just sign

09:18

him as a free agent what what if Rich

09:21

Paul and LeBron make it clear to the NBA

09:24

he's coming to La whether you like it or

09:26

not don't stand in our way don't try to

09:28

stop us

09:29

would somebody say

09:31

hey I'm sorry we have a draft pick here

09:34

and maybe it's the third pick in the

09:36

second round we're going to take I don't

09:37

think anybody will get in the way of

09:40

such a thing I don't think I don't think

09:42

that'll be the case no I mean would

09:44

somebody say we'll take him and then

09:46

we'll try to talk LeBron into coming

09:47

here I no this is sign seal and

09:51

delivered already hey it is because

09:53

probably size deliver probably which I'm

09:57

okay with I'm fine with that sing most

09:59

powerful entity in the NBA is clutch

10:02

sports right it just is I mean people

10:05

don't want to people you don't want to

10:06

get it away look you don't want to get

10:08

in the way of that they have too much

10:09

control over you know having different

10:11

players and you you know like if if

10:13

you're a GM and you like a certain

10:15

player under clut becomes a free agent

10:17

you don't want to have a bad

10:18

relationship with them that's how the

10:19

NBA works with all the agencies man let

10:21

me tell you something speaking of that

10:24

there you know little birdie was on my

10:26

shoulder Once Upon a Time and when the

10:29

Anthony Davis situation was going down

10:32

in New Orleans early on the general

10:34

manager tried to go behind somebody's

10:38

back to send information to Anthony

10:40

Davis you know the general manager

10:42

eventually got fired and Anthony Davis

10:43

wind up getting traded where he wanted

10:45

to go you're talking about the GM in New

10:47

Orleans yeah yeah yeah because because

10:50

he decided he didn't want to hear any

10:53

other other stuff and he was going to do

10:55

it his way I remember well in the end

10:57

Anthony Davis went out the GM got that

10:59

ad wind up being in LA because they he

11:02

tried to go around what they told him

11:05

don't do hey man don't go to the client

11:07

and say this just do the deal right wind

11:10

up be on the streets now so you don't

11:12

want to you don't want to alienate

11:14

certain people that got a certain power

11:17

in an industry and you know they got

11:19

that clout especially if you want to

11:21

fill up your roster with some players

11:22

help in the championship all right and

11:24

then we did see the video the other

11:26

night whenever it was at the game of

11:29

Genie bus and LeBron and they seem very

11:31

comfortable with each other and I've

11:32

never seen them out in public like that

11:34

I'm not suggesting anything untour but

11:36

you could just see how close they are

11:38

they're really close I didn't know for

11:40

sure about that well that shows me

11:43

Jeanie's going to do everything in her

11:44

power to to keep LeBron happy for the

11:47

next couple of years he's obviously the

11:49

face of the franchise the biggest

11:50

drawing card to this moment in the sport

11:54

so she's if LeBron says I just need my

11:57

son here I I don't think or Rob pink are

12:00

going to do anything again like I said

12:03

teams in the NBA draft players all the

12:06

time and they never even play for those

12:09

teams they just draft them they burn

12:12

it's it's a ton of European players that

12:13

teams that burn second round picks on

12:16

and the guys have never left Europe to

12:17

come play for them so for

12:21

for the Lakers to to take a second round

12:24

pick and and draft Le bronny James or

12:26

whatever the case is then yeah now I

12:29

know if I don't know if they need to

12:31

burn a draft pick I'm with Paul I think

12:33

you just say he's coming I mean I guess

12:35

you could do that too don't I guess you

12:38

I guess you could do that too but it's

12:39

something about being drafted just

12:42

something about being drafted guys want

12:43

to be drafted they you know it's just

12:46

you know how they go par we want to be

12:47

drafted well easy for you to say no it

12:49

has nothing to do with me I'm just

12:51

saying guys want to be draft they age

12:55

you just want to be on the NBA team all

12:57

right we'll get back to that in just a

13:00

moment but now we go to the goat because

13:04

L Wayne joins us to debate that van lith

13:07

transfer and much more that's coming up

13:16

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