Is Bronny James an NBA Prospect? Breaking Down His Draft Value

The Verdict

While James improved his stock this past week in Chicago, it's clear that he is not ready for the next level. The best case is that he rides the bench or plays in the G-League for a few seasons, develops properly, and becomes a potential future starter. If it weren't for being the son of arguably the greatest player ever, we're confident that James wouldn't be near draft boards or even considered declaring after last season. Whether James gets drafted or not, the rapidly approaching NBA Summer League will be telling of his chances of cracking a roster by opening night.

The Good

Bronny had a strong showing at the NBA Combine. The USC one-and-done showed flashes of athleticism in various drills, including a 40.5-inch vertical leap that ranked fourth-highest among 78 participants at the combine. His 6'7" wingspan also looked impressive, as did his overall build. Clearly, James had been working on his size and boasting a bit more of his father's broad frame.

James also developed a reputation as a sharpshooter during his high school career. However, his lone year at USC didn't display this, as he shot just 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. He showed his potential as a shooter at the combine, knocking down 19 of 25 shots in the three-point shooting drill, the second-highest only behind UConn's Alex Karaban.

Download the SportsGrid App

Stay Ahead of the Game and Elevate Your Sports Betting Experience with SportsGrid. Download the SportsGrid App from the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

The Bad

USC lists Bronny James at 6'4". He measured in at 6'1" at the combine, a significant difference from what was portrayed during his time at college. His height is undersized for the NBA level, especially for someone like Bronny, who is not well-known for tight handles. While he boasts raw potential as a spot-up shooter, there should be serious concern about his ability to get around defenders and take it to the rack on his own. As mentioned earlier, his poor in-game shooting and overall scoring ability during his lone season at USC should set off alarm bells.

And while the NBA officially cleared him of his previous health issues after suffering a cardiac arrest last summer, it will still be a point of contention and an asterisk on him in the future.

The Verdict

While James improved his stock this past week in Chicago, it's clear that he is not ready for the next level. The best case is that he rides the bench or plays in the G-League for a few seasons, develops properly, and becomes a potential future starter. If it weren't for being the son of arguably the greatest player ever, we're confident that James wouldn't be near draft boards or even considered declaring after last season. Whether James gets drafted or not, the rapidly approaching NBA Summer League will be telling of his chances of cracking a roster by opening night.