Bronny James is still available.
The first round of the NBA Draft came and went Wednesday night without the name of LeBron James’ son being called out at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
A team, picking anywhere from No. 31 to 58, on Thursday could select the younger James, whose limited basketball resume includes one season at the University of Southern California, where he scored 4.8 points per game in 25 contests, mostly coming off the bench.
The younger James’ brief college career got off to a late start after he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during a workout at USC last July 24. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that could be treated, his family said, and the younger James was cleared to play again.
The heart scare set Bronny James back, though, and he didn’t play until Southern Cal’s ninth game of the season.
LeBron James has until Saturday to decide whether he wants to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he’s played since 2018-19.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has long spoken openly about playing alongside his son, though in recent times he’s downplayed that generational goal.
While NBA fans have seen several father-son duos over the years, most notably the sharp-shooters Dell and Steph Curry, none have been on the floor simultaneously.
So in theory, a team that picks or later signs Bronny James could have his dad’s ear.
At the ancient basketball age of 39, Lebron James remarkably remains one of the game’s most dynamic players.
In recent years, he’s even developed into a legitimate 3-point shooting threat, converting 41% this past season. That topped the league average of 36.6% and even edged Curry’s 40.8% efficiency from downtown.
Lebron James’ employers, for now, the Lakers, select at No. 55.
If the older James opts for free agency and wants to stay closer to Southern California, teams with second-round picks include the Utah Jazz (at No. 32), Portland Trail Blazers (34 and 40), Sacramento Kings (45), Los Angeles Clippers (46), Golden State Warriors (52) and the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets (56).
