LeBron James was unhappy that son Bronny James was removed from ESPN’s 2024 draft projections and instead placed in a 2025 mock draft, according to Alex Andrejev and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. The ESPN story had the younger James going in the second round in 2025.
“Can y’all please just let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball,” LeBron wrote in since-deleted posts on social media, adding, “These Mock Drafts doesn’t matter one bit! I promise you! Only the WORK MATTERS!! Let’s talk REAL BASKETBALL PEOPLE!”
LeBron has often stated he wanted to stay in the league long enough to play with his son. Bronny, a freshman at USC, is averaging a modest 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game through 19 contests and is no longer considered a lock to be a one-and-done prospect.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Speaking of this year’s draft class, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo address a number of topics, including the potential of UConn’s Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, Houston’s Jamal Shead and Weber State’s Dillon Jones.
- Lance Stephenson, 10-year NBA veteran, is currently playing for the NBA G League’s Iowa Wolves. Stephenson feels he could help an NBA team in numerous ways if given a chance to play in the league again. “Leadership. Definitely, helping young guys. Winning mentality, just that edge on the defensive end,” Stephenson told Sam Yip of Hoops Hype. “A lot of teams need help with defense, especially during the playoffs. Tough guys that can play defense and lock down and win games. I can bring any edge that a coach needs.”
- Several teams could have major cap space this summer, with the Sixers, Pistons, Raptors and Magic well-positioned to do some major spending. Hoops Hype’s Mark Deeks breaks down what every team’s cap situation will look like when the offseason arrives.
Jeez, LeBron. Maybe just let the kid play.
Most fathers would tell their kid to stay in school enjoy life and not go into the NBA right now because of how tough it is. So we will find out if LeBron advises his kid to do the right thing.
Let’s be honest if you put Bronny stats up and his dad wasn’t LeBron. Nobody who would be talking about him.
That is absolutely true! But what else is true is that if it weren’t LeBron’s son and he played last season at the same high school of anyone who surfs Hoops Rumors, those readers would have long talked about how good this young man is and would bet on him goin to the nba at some point.
I can almost guarantee he would’ve been the best player on the team last season at the hs alma mater of anyone reading this comment.
He most likely would unless that person attended a prep school like Montverde. But how many great high school players are there that never even make it to the nba, that not even become professional at all.
Bronny has talent but is it NBA talent? He is going to have to prove it. I dont think he is ready to be a one and done, but maybe with some more years he can develop into an nba level player. Wishing him the best
High school ball makes the NCAA look good…
The reason the one and done rule came in was because high school hype failed to translate all too often…
Let the kid be a kid? Do you let everyone else just be a kid when you talk about draft prospects every year? Lebron the hypocrite.
Remember last year when LeBron Tweeted that Bronny was better than a bunch of the NBA dudes he was watching that night on NBA League Pass. Even said how they were “lightweights” with laughing emoji. LeBron is so fake. Will never forgive this guy for publicly supporting Tory Lanez after he shot Meg “The Stallion”.
I am now on board and understand why the Chicago Bulls have not committed to tanking. Nothing to tank for in the draft!! I don’t think we have ever seen a hot mess like the 2024 draft. Pay DeMar. Run it back. Contend for the playoffs again. Punt the rebuild another year until hopefully the draft prospects improve.
For those interested ….. The going rate for a Top 10 ranked 5-star prospect is beyond the $500k level for a year of college ball. Karter Knox, younger brother of Kevin Knox, got $500k to play this year with Overtime Elite. Kentucky, Louisville and South Florida are top contenders. South Florida has the highest offer on the table with north of $600k cash on the table with added perks like use of private jet. Kentucky and Louisville have $500k+ offers on the table. Kentucky is strong since Kevin Knox was #9 pick out of there, and have strong connection with pops. Louisville only in there because of pops relationship with Kenny Payne, who is likely to be fired. The other brother, Kobe, plays for South Florida with is a plus, but they play the same position which is a minus. You won’t find this info published anywhere but this post.
Then how did you find it?
I get Lebron wants to play with his kid – any dad that has a chance to do that with their kid would dream of it, but he needs to let it happen naturally. The kid needs to do it on his own, otherwise he’ll never know if he truly made it to the show or not.
Jimmy Butler averaged 5.6ppg/3.9rpg/0.7apg in his first year at Marquette. If you compare that to Bronny at 5.5pog/2.8rpg/2.5apg
Don’t write LeBron’s son off yet, Jordan’s son had almost identical numbers.
Do a little research on Jimmy Butler. He was a JUCO kid. Do a little more research on just how much work Jimmy put into his game to get to where he is now. He was a PF who scratched and clawed his way to being a late first-rounder with the Bulls. Didn’t play much as a rookie. Scratched and clawed more minutes 2nd year. At some point after that, he decided that he was gonna be an elite player. He got rid of cable and the Internet. Spent entire offseason completely devoted to basketball and nothing else. Became an All-Star and ultimately the face of the Bulls after injuries slowed Derrick Rose.
So you are saying players can develop at different rates and ages. Who knew. So when Lebron talks about putting in the work maybe that’s what he means? Obviously you don’t like Lebron but ignoring comparable numbers with Jimmy and saying it can’t happen shows you are pretty biased and closed minded.
If the mock doesnt matter why does he care about it lol
Lance Stephenson is the new Isaiah Thomas.
everyone says you have to unlearn college ball in the nba. what’s the big deal? ahead of the curve. right?
If Bronny works hard he can be a top 100 player one day In the NBA. He plays great D. He will have the best shooting coach money can buy.
You really think LeBron is going to hire Steph to teach his adult son how to shoot a basketball?
LeBron giving free advertising to these mock drafts is funny…
The irony of his statement though… He absolutely doesn’t see the pressure he himself is putting on his son…
In his own way, Lebron is behaving just like Lavar Ball – stealing attention away from from his own kid.