Rich Paul Dismisses Package Deal Between LeBron and Bronny James
The idea of a package deal involving LeBron James and his son Bronny James has been dismissed by Rich Paul, the influential sports agent, who represents both father and son.
According to Paul, there is no underlying strategy to draft Bronny as a means to lure LeBron to specific teams. “If he does, he does. But if he doesn’t, he doesn’t,” Paul stated, emphasizing the independence of Bronny's draft from any moves LeBron might make in the free agency market.
Shielding Bronny from Unnecessary Draft Workouts
Paul revealed plans to protect Bronny from superfluous draft workouts, aiming instead to position him within a team that offers a supportive developmental environment. “Workouts aren't everything for these teams,” Paul noted, stressing the importance of genuine interest and long-term growth over the immediate impact of pre-draft scrutiny.
Focus on a Good-Fit Team
The agent has made it clear that his primary objective is to find a well-suited team for Bronny. “The goal is to find a team that values your guy and try to push him to get there,” he explained. Recent reports indicate that Bronny has worked out with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. However, Paul insists that it’s not about which team or what pick, but purely about fit. “I don't care about him going to the Lakers, or Phoenix, or about what number he gets picked. It's about fit,” Paul reiterated.
Potential Landing Spots for Bronny
The Phoenix Suns hold the 22nd pick in the draft, while the Lakers have the No. 55 overall pick—within the range for Bronny. Several other teams have shown interest, including Minnesota, Dallas, and Toronto. Minnesota's interest is palpable, although their ownership situation remains uncertain. “Minnesota would love to get Bronny in, but I don't know who their owner is going to be,” Paul noted.
Dallas presents a unique opportunity as Mavs GM Nico Harrison has close personal ties to Bronny. “Nico Harrison is like an uncle to Bronny,” Paul shared, suggesting a strong potential fit based on these connections. Meanwhile, Toronto's president has shown sustained interest in Bronny, despite his limited workouts. Paul's strategy for Bronny prioritizes legitimate developmental plans over exhaustive evaluation through workouts alone.
Bronny’s Performance and Development
Bronny's performance at USC indicates his potential, having played 25 games with an average of 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Paul aims to ensure that Bronny lands on a team that values and fosters his development. “It’s important to understand the context and realize that this has always been the strategy with many of my clients throughout the years, especially those in need of development like Bronny,” Paul stated.
Clearing Misconceptions
Addressing misconceptions, Paul categorically dismissed the idea that drafting Bronny is a strategy to attract LeBron. “There’s no deal made that it’s guaranteed if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he [LeBron] will re-sign,” Paul clarified. This denial underscores the agent's goal of securing the best possible environment for Bronny's growth independent of LeBron’s career decisions.
Bronny and Two-Way Contracts
It appears unlikely that Bronny will be involved in two-way contracts, which allow players to spend time between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate. Paul expressed concerns over the developmental limitations posed by such agreements. “It’s hard to get real development on a two-way deal,” he argued, reinforcing his commitment to Bronny’s progress and stability. Paul emphasized that the importance lies in finding a stable team where Bronny can thrive.
In conclusion, the layered strategy for Bronny James, as outlined by Rich Paul, focuses on ensuring the young player finds a team that genuinely values him and provides necessary developmental resources. By avoiding unnecessary workouts and dismissing the notion of packaging him with LeBron, Paul aims to set Bronny up for long-term success, thus steering his career path independently and strategically.