The Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in Bronny James ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and Raptors have all been linked to the 19-year-old.
According to Bronny’s agent Rich Paul, Masai Ujiri loves Bronny:
“There are other teams that love Bronny. For example, Minnesota, Dallas, Toronto…Masai [Ujiri, Raptors president,] loves him. They [Raptors] could take him without even seeing him at 31. Workouts aren’t everything for these teams.”
The Raptors have picks No. 19 and No. 31 in the 2024 NBA Draft. Therefore, the Raptors will have the first pick of Day 2 of the draft where they can select Bronny at No. 31.
Bronny played one collegiate season at USC. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 36.6 percent shooting from the field and 26.7 percent shooting from deep. He played in 25 games following a cardiac arrest incident.
Don’t expect the Raptors to workout Bronny between now and the draft. Paul says that Bronny is likely done with workouts barring any sudden change.
“There could be last-minute stuff, if someone calls me late. We’ll see,” Paul said.
Bronny has just worked out for two teams to this point in the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
There is a lot of uncertainty regarding Bronny’s game but he is still the most intriguing prospect in this year’s draft. If a team like the Raptors draft Bronny, there’s a chance of reeling in the bigger fish in LeBron James.
However, Paul told ESPN that LeBron has moved on from wanting to play with his son:
“There’s no deal made that it’s guaranteed that if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he [LeBron] will re-sign. If that was the case, I would force them to take him at 17. We don’t need leverage. The Lakers can draft Bronny and LeBron doesn’t re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now.”
The Raptors would have to seriously reconstruct their roster to create max cap space for LeBron so it seems unlikely that would happen.
The draft is set for June 26 and 27.
Johnny Furphy projected to Toronto in latest mock draft
The Toronto Raptors were one of the worst three-point shooting teams last season and the goal for this offseason should be to add more shooting around Scottie Barnes.
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports released his latest mock draft and he has the Raptors taking Johnny Furphy out of Kansas at No. 19.
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