Will Bronny James declare for the 2024 NBA Draft? Why LeBron’s son should — and shouldn’t — return to USC

Bronny James’ freshman season at USC came up shy of a March Madness bid.

The Trojans fell to Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament Thursday. With a 15-18 record, they are not candidates for an at-large ticket to the NCAA Tournament. It is unknown if USC will participate in a different postseason tournament, such as the NIT, but either way, a pivotal decision looms large for LeBron James’ eldest son.

LeBron made it clear that he intends to stay in the NBA long enough to play with Bronny. Still producing at an All-NBA level at age 39, Father Time hasn’t gotten to The King yet. That might take a little bit of pressure off Bronny should he decide to stay in school for another year.

But LeBron does have a player option for the 2024-25 season, so the Lakers star could free himself up to join forces with his son if he does declare for the NBA in 2024.

“It’s up to [Bronny],” LeBron told the Inside the NBA crew at All-Star Weekend. “It’s up to the kid. Obviously we gonna go through the whole process. He’s still in season now, has the Pac-12 tournament coming up. … We gonna weigh our options, and we gonna let the kid make the decision.”

Which decision is best for Bronny? The Sporting News breaks down his case for and against declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.

MORE: Why NBA experts project Bronny won’t be picked in 2024 NBA Draft 

Why Bronny James should return to USC

James’ first college season was unorthodox, to say the least. The 19-year-old suffered cardiac arrest during a workout over the summer, putting his freshman season on hold for four months.

Upon his return, James was still under a minutes restriction for his first four games. It wasn’t until the Trojans’ second game of Pac-12 play — 13 games into the season — that James was unleashed. That is a less-than-ideal start for an incoming freshman trying to make an NBA-level impact.

James didn’t receive the opportunities he might have hoped to showcase his skills if he planned on being a one-and-done prospect. For most of the year, he came off the bench behind super senior guard Boogie Ellis and freshman guard Isaiah Collier, who was the No. 1 player in the high school class of 2023.

Both Ellis and Collier missed games due to injury, but James didn’t capitalize on his chance to shine in a bigger role. His lack of assertiveness in those moments reflected his final game in high school for Sierra Canyon last year.

During James’ freshman season, his game was boxed in by the talent in front of him. He didn’t get much freedom to create as a ball-handler, and he didn’t shoot the ball well or display shot-creation growth. His playing time was inconsistent, so he never truly got into a rhythm.

James finished with averages of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 steals over 25 games — far from what is typical for a projected NBA Draft prospect. That is why it could be in his best interest to return to USC.

Ellis is set to graduate and Collier is all but certain to leap to the NBA. That would leave a void of 30-plus points, 7-plus assists and 20-plus field goal attempts per game to be filled in the Trojans’ backcourt next season.

There is no telling what USC might do in the transfer portal, but it feels like James would be a lock to start as a sophomore. A lot of those playmaking and scoring responsibilities should fall on his shoulders. He would have an entire offseason to improve his game and a full preseason to get acclimated to a new role, something he did not have the benefit of as a freshman because of his heart issue.

James is likely to go through the NBA Draft process no matter what, but don’t be surprised if he elects to stay at USC to prove he’s capable of making a bigger impact.

MORE: LeBron would do Bronny a favor by allowing him to develop as an NBA prospect in due time

Why Bronny James should declare for 2024 NBA Draft

Even though James is widely projected to be a second-round pick or go undrafted, it’s hard to imagine all 30 NBA teams would pass up on the opportunity to select LeBron’s son.

The choice goes beyond increasing their chances of courting his father in potential free agency, though that also plays a factor. In a draft class that lacks depth, why wouldn’t a team take a chance on the heir of an all-time great and hope they can unlock his full potential?

Bronny is still only 19. At 6-4 and 210 pounds, he already has NBA size for his position, and there’s no telling if he’s done growing (even if he doesn’t reach his father’s 6-9 frame).

Bronny has displayed flashes of pro skills. He’s a smart and tenacious on-ball defender. Even with streaky shooting numbers as a freshman, his form is smooth. He’s a connective playmaker who can play on or off the ball, making him a potential fit on just about any roster.

It might take him a few years to develop into an NBA rotation player, but there are plenty of current impact players who needed time in the G League to flourish.

Celtics guard Derrick White offers a window into Bronny’s possible ceiling. White played a full season in the G League and several seasons in a smaller role with the Spurs before becoming a fringe All-Star in Boston.

If Bronny were to land in the right situation, why couldn’t he find a similar path to success? And fit is what his team plans to prioritize if he does decide to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft.

“I don’t value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation,” Bronny’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, told ESPN.

Paul added that LeBron would, of course, be “head over heels excited” if they teamed up organically but “LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man.”

And as LeBron mentioned already, the big decision will be Bronny’s to make.