Is Bronny James declaring for the NBA draft the right move for him?

USC freshman guard Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, will enter the NBA draft as well as enter the transfer portal to keep his options open. Prior to his freshman season when Bronny was suppose to have a major impact for USC, he unfortunately had a cardiac arrest that happened in July.  

With that he had a procedure done as well to treat a congenital heart defect that sidelined him for five months that really impacted his play his freshman season. He averaged just 4.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.  

With those stats you can definitely see that what happened to him in July definitely effected his play this season. Even though he struggled, he did show some flashes of why he was once considered a first round pick in the 2024 NBA draft.  

Before this season he was considered a first round pick, and since he struggled this season he went from a first round pick to maybe a second round pick or being undrafted. It seems like the reason he entered the NBA draft and entered the transfer portal is to keep his options open. He didn't want to commit to one or the other.

So, he entered the NBA draft to see what the interest is like out there and to see if teams still view him as that player that was once considered a first round pick. He now has the opportunity to interview with different NBA teams and see were he is viewed among them, to see if he can fully commit to the NBA draft.

Even though he entered the NBA draft he still entered the transfer portal. So, if he doesn't like what he hears from different teams and doesn't think it is worth entering the draft. He can come back for another year in college to improve his draft stock.  

Him entering the NBA draft, was probably a good move for him just to see what his worth is. To see if teams still view him as high as they once did before the season started and get a better picture of were he stands.  

However, with the season he had the best move is to stay in college another year. Watching him play this year, even if he had his good moments, you can definitely see that he is not ready for the NBA quite yet.

If he stays in college another year, he will be one year removed from the cardiac arrest he had in July. Were it might not be on his mind as much and he can focused just solely playing basketball again, and improve his stock for the 2025 NBA draft.  

Since he did enter the transfer portal, and if he does stay in college were could he possibly go? One option possibly could be Duquesne, who was just in the tournament this year. With their head coach being a high school teammate of LeBron, and is a close friend with him making a connection there.

It will be very interesting to see were he ends up if he does choose to stay in college which is most likely better for him, or were he would be drafted if he stays in the 2024 Draft.