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With the trade deadline behind us and the draft months away, it’s the most boring time of the year for our little forum. Let’s spice it up a bit with some good ol’ Lebron James speculation.

Bronny James isn’t an NBA prospect, end of story.

But… if the right team drafts him, it almost certainly guarantees a meeting with Lebron James and Rich Paul this summer. That meeting is worth a 2nd round pick, especially in a draft as poor as this one.


Let’s examine the teams:


Philadelphia- Armed with $60 million in cap space and desperate to put a championship caliber team around Embiid, the 76ers are projected to have 3 picks in this years draft: #20, #36 and #50.

We know that Morey is a risk taker, so #50 is probably Bronny’s floor. But does he have the courage to take Bronny at #36?


New York- It’s widely speculated that Lebron used his appearance at MSG this season to send a message to the Lakers: “Make some moves or I will.”

The Knicks have done a phenomenal job of rebuilding around breakout star Jalen Brunson and would be a legitimate contender with Lebron. A championship in New York would only add to Lebron’s legacy.

The Knicks own 3 picks this: #19, #21 and #41. More importantly they have enough future draft capital to compensate the Lakers in a sign & trade. Drafting Bronny at #41 would be a wise move on their part.


Cleveland- The Cavaliers, a franchise that has become synonymous with Lebron James, are having their best season since his departure. With Donovan Mitchell’s wandering eye and a roster boasting All-Star caliber players at every position except SF, acquiring the greatest SF of all time would seem to solve all of their problems.

The Cavs only have 1 pick this year: #27 in the first round.


Now we have to consider, is there a chance that Bronny James is drafted in the 1st round, in what would be a blatant case of nepotism? Would news about the Cavs interest at #27 prompt the 76ers or Knicks to take him in the early 20s? And if that’s the case, does Miami throw their hat in the ring and take him at #16?


…of course Bronny could also return to USC for his sophomore season, but that’s no fun

He should really go back to USC. He is not even ready for G league.

I don’t think Lebron leaves the lakers to play with his son. If some team does draft him then maybe that’s some leverage to trade his rights to the lakers for something of value.

Jazz have the Clippers pick it appears. I would use that if I were Danny. Hold Bronny hostage. And if nobody pays up, well at least you get to screw with the Lakers and Lebron.

jazzfan1971 wrote:Jazz have the Clippers pick it appears. I would use that if I were Danny. Hold Bronny hostage. And if nobody pays up, well at least you get to screw with the Lakers and Lebron.

Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

Mavrelous wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:Jazz have the Clippers pick it appears. I would use that if I were Danny. Hold Bronny hostage. And if nobody pays up, well at least you get to screw with the Lakers and Lebron.

Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

What's the worst that could happen? Clutch clients won't sign in Utah? Oh my. What a terrible situation that would be. Just think of all those great Clutch clients that have signed in Utah in that past that wouldn't have done so.

jazzfan1971 wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:Jazz have the Clippers pick it appears. I would use that if I were Danny. Hold Bronny hostage. And if nobody pays up, well at least you get to screw with the Lakers and Lebron.

Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

What's the worst that could happen? Clutch clients won't sign in Utah? Oh my. What a terrible situation that would be. Just think of all those great Clutch clients that have signed in Utah in that past that wouldn't have done so.

And what's the best that could happen?
It's not limited to Klutch, it's a punch below the waist to THE star of the league, Ainge won't risk it.

jazzfan1971 wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:Jazz have the Clippers pick it appears. I would use that if I were Danny. Hold Bronny hostage. And if nobody pays up, well at least you get to screw with the Lakers and Lebron.

Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

What's the worst that could happen? Clutch clients won't sign in Utah? Oh my. What a terrible situation that would be. Just think of all those great Clutch clients that have signed in Utah in that past that wouldn't have done so.

... The Jazz literally just had a Klutch guy re-sign with them last year? Jordan Clarkson did a R+E last year. Collin Sexton is also Klutch and is a free agent soon-ish. THT is also Klutch though he has no future with the team.

Who cares

Mavrelous wrote:Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

Pretty sure that would be textbook tampering assuming my timing is correct. The only teams that might consider Bronny is if they're a large-market team (i.e. New York, Philadelphia, etc.) with the ability to acquire LBJ (either via trade or FA). And they probably need to be competitive this season too. I don't think LeBron is going to leave the Lakers for a non-competitive team.

Is LeBron going to exercise his player option ? And what is the date deadline for his decision relative to the NBA draft ?

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HadAnEffectHere wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

What's the worst that could happen? Clutch clients won't sign in Utah? Oh my. What a terrible situation that would be. Just think of all those great Clutch clients that have signed in Utah in that past that wouldn't have done so.

... The Jazz literally just had a Klutch guy re-sign with them last year? Jordan Clarkson did a R+E last year. Collin Sexton is also Klutch and is a free agent soon-ish. THT is also Klutch though he has no future with the team.

And? Both love Utah, I doubt they care if LeBron is upset. But if both left? Sure, that is not the best, but they are very replaceable. I'd also draft him (with the Washington/Memphis 2nd) and see what we can extract from the Lakers. Maybe they'll make the protections on the 2027 pick better.

Bronny is a three or four year college player. It’s a nice idea for Lebron wanting to play with him but it’s not always that plans work out.

Laimbeer wrote:Is LeBron going to exercise his player option ? And what is the date deadline for his decision relative to the NBA draft ?

Draft is on the 26-27th of June and Bron has to decide on his option by the 29th.

But it's mostly irrelevant because Bronny won't be on an NBA team next year if he gets good advice for his future.

Mavrelous wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:

Mavrelous wrote:Yeah, that'll go well...
No one is drafting Bronny w/o prior agreement with LBJ, that is if Bronny even declares...

What's the worst that could happen? Clutch clients won't sign in Utah? Oh my. What a terrible situation that would be. Just think of all those great Clutch clients that have signed in Utah in that past that wouldn't have done so.

And what's the best that could happen?
It's not limited to Klutch, it's a punch below the waist to THE star of the league, Ainge won't risk it.

Seriously, NBA GMs don't take hostages lol. Even Danny Warbucks is not a cynical mercenary.

Slava wrote:Bronny is a three or four year college player. It’s a nice idea for Lebron wanting to play with him but it’s not always that plans work out.

If Thiannis gets a spot, no reason Bronny can't.

If a team uses a pick around 40 for Bonny, I think they should expect a trade would bring back the value of … a pick around 40.

Feel free to replace the first number, just make the second number also equally replaced.

HartfordWhalers wrote:If a team uses a pick around 40 for Bonny, I think they should expect a trade would bring back the value of … a pick around 40.

Maybe? What is a team getting if LeBron signals he is interested in signing with them if he has Bronny. e.g., if a team swoops him up at 35, would Philly give 2 2nds? 3? Kind of an unprecedented situation.

babyjax13 wrote:

HartfordWhalers wrote:If a team uses a pick around 40 for Bonny, I think they should expect a trade would bring back the value of … a pick around 40.

Maybe? What is a team getting if LeBron signals he is interested in signing with them if he has Bronny. e.g., if a team swoops him up at 35, would Philly give 2 2nds? 3? Kind of an unprecedented situation.

I’m not sold on this at all. I mean if Taylor Swift concert tickets come with broccoli, then I’m sure people would pay a lot more for broccoli.

But then broccoli would cost a lot more. Right?

If you assume that Bonny is worth a lotto protected first because Bonny equals Lebron, then why would he be available at 35? Or 25?

There really should be consistency here. Bronny has a ton of value once drafted but every team before then would also pass on stealing this extra value ? I’m not following how all the other teams are assumed dumb.

HartfordWhalers wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

HartfordWhalers wrote:If a team uses a pick around 40 for Bonny, I think they should expect a trade would bring back the value of … a pick around 40.

Maybe? What is a team getting if LeBron signals he is interested in signing with them if he has Bronny. e.g., if a team swoops him up at 35, would Philly give 2 2nds? 3? Kind of an unprecedented situation.

I’m not sold on this at all. I mean if Taylor Swift concert tickets come with broccoli, then I’m sure people would pay a lot more for broccoli.

But then broccoli would cost a lot more. Right?

If you assume that Bonny is worth a lotto protected first because Bonny equals Lebron, then why would he be available at 35? Or 25?

There really should be consistency here. Bronny has a ton of value once drafted but every team before then would also pass on stealing this extra value ? I’m not following how all the other teams are assumed dumb.

I'm proposing a trade of 2nds, not 1sts. But if a team thinks it can get an unprotected future pick by grabbing him higher than he should go, should they not do that? Or should a team that plans on signing not try to trade up? I guess I'm just morbidly curious how all of this plays out.

babyjax13 wrote:

HartfordWhalers wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:Maybe? What is a team getting if LeBron signals he is interested in signing with them if he has Bronny. e.g., if a team swoops him up at 35, would Philly give 2 2nds? 3? Kind of an unprecedented situation.

I’m not sold on this at all. I mean if Taylor Swift concert tickets come with broccoli, then I’m sure people would pay a lot more for broccoli.

But then broccoli would cost a lot more. Right?

If you assume that Bonny is worth a lotto protected first because Bonny equals Lebron, then why would he be available at 35? Or 25?

There really should be consistency here. Bronny has a ton of value once drafted but every team before then would also pass on stealing this extra value ? I’m not following how all the other teams are assumed dumb.

I'm proposing a trade of 2nds, not 1sts. But if a team thinks it can get an unprotected future pick by grabbing him higher than he should go, should they not do that? Or should a team that plans on signing not try to trade up? I guess I'm just morbidly curious how all of this plays out.

Oh me too. I absolutely think a team might take him considerably above where his talent justifies.

Ignoring even a Lebron tag along, just the fact that you can tell your season ticket holders you have the next Lebron James* alone should be worth something perhaps?

But I just think if he is taken say 31st, we will see it trade for what 31 would normally go for. Same if he goes more like 18-22.


*Past James performance no guarantee on future James performance. All ticket sales final.