Report: Clippers showed interest in drafting Bronny James

Bronny James waited until the second round to hear his name called in the 2024 NBA Draft. The former USC Trojans guard was selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. While the organization received some backlash for the pick, they were not the only team to show interest in him.

Chris Broussard revealed that the Los Angeles Clippers were among four teams – aside from the Lakers – that were interested in bringing him in, however, agent Rich Paul warned them against doing so. Speaking on First Things First, the NBA analyst stated:

From what I’m told there were four teams outside of the Lakers that had legitimate interest in taking Bronny. The Clippers, the Timberwolves – which not that bad of a situation for him – the Suns, but they wanted him because of LeBron, and the Raptors.

Rich did let these teams know this, and I don’t have a problem at all with this. This is what agents do… To act like Rich Paul was doing something crazy, something ridiculous, no, this is what a lot of agents do. He was trying to get his client in the best situation he could and so he flexed his muscle.

Broussard noted that agents with a significant amount of players signed have power when it comes to dealing with teams. Bronny will have the opportunity to team up with his father on the Lakers as LeBron is widely expected to return on a free agent deal this summer.

The younger James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game while shooting 36.6% from the field, 26.7% from three-point range and 67.6% from the free-throw line in his lone season at his USC. Despite his struggles at the collegiate level, he reportedly had a strong showing that led to interest from several franchises. Bronny is almost a full year removed from cardiac arrest suffered last offseason.

Any problem with Rich Paul telling teams not to draft Bronny?

"There were 4 teams outside of the Lakers — the Clippers, T-Wolves, Suns & Raptors — that had legitimate interest in Bronny. I don't have a problem with this. This is what agents do." — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/vPh3QNm1nf

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 28, 2024

What did Rich Paul tell teams interested in Bronny James?

Nov 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with his son Bronny James during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Bronny James’ floor in the 2024 NBA Draft appeared to be the 55th pick. His agent Rich Paul was aware of this and acted accordingly to get him to his preferred destination. Speaking on ESPN’s draft coverage ahead of his selection, Bob Myers revealed that teams were warned against drafting Bronny, stating:

Rich Paul is calling teams, ‘don’t take Bronny James’. He’s telling them do not take him. He’s saying don’t take him, if you take him, he’s going to Australia. So, he has a plan and he has a place.

Bronny’s professional career will get underway when the Los Angeles Lakers begin Summer League in less than two weeks. The Lakers will face the Houston Rockets on July 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. His first opportunity to share the court with LeBron James will come in just over three months. Los Angeles will begin the preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 4 in Palm Springs, California.

"Rich Paul is calling teams, don't take Bronny James … if you take him, he's going to Australia." 😳

Bob Myers on Bronny James' draft status 👀 pic.twitter.com/p6mWNMAjma

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024

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