Editor's note: This story was originally published on March 14. Bronny James declared for the NBA draft on Friday.
LAS VEGAS -- USC's season came to a close at the Pac-12 tournament in a 70-49 loss at the hands of top-seeded Arizona.
With the end of USC's arduous 15-18 season comes draft decisions for the team's NBA prospects. Projected lottery pick Isaiah Collier is expected to enter the 2024 draft. A different type of decision process awaits Bronny James, whom NBA teams have long viewed as a candidate to turn pro following his freshman year, in large part because of the possibility of him joining a team alongside his father, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Simply returning to the court has been a significant accomplishment for Bronny James this season after experiencing cardiac arrest during a workout last July that was found to be a byproduct of a congenital heart defect. After being sidelined for five months, James rejoined the Trojans on Dec. 10, working his way into a regular role off the bench.
James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games. While the numbers, in a vacuum, don't paint the picture of a one-and-done prospect, NBA teams have been preparing behind-the-scenes for James -- like any other prospect -- to ultimately enter the 2024 draft and explore professional opportunities. Whether he chooses to stay in the draft is less clear-cut at this point.
LeBron James has been vocal about his hope to share the court professionally with his oldest son. He has also said that Bronny will make his own decision on whether to enter the draft. That situation has created a dynamic surrounding the proposition that drafting Bronny could potentially bolster a team's chances of adding LeBron in free agency, whether that happens in 2024 or in the future. James has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his $51.4 million player option with the Lakers.
Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and LeBron's longtime agent, told ESPN earlier this month that Bronny would make his decision based more on specific team interest and less on draft position.
"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," Paul said.
Because of his heart condition, the NBA's fitness-to-play panel will have to clear James for activity, at which point, the health question falls on individual teams and their doctors. Players have until April 23 to declare as early entrants, with the NCAA's withdrawal deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 31.
To better understand how NBA teams view James as an NBA prospect, and the optics of his potential draft candidacy, ESPN spoke to three NBA executives who agreed to speak candidly on the condition of anonymity.
These interviews have been lightly condensed and edited for clarity.