The speculation surrounding Bronny James, LeBron James and the Phoenix Suns continues to swirl as the 2024 NBA Draft draws closer.
Could the Suns potentially draft Bronny James and then sign LeBron James to a veteran minimum deal to play for Phoenix?
While it has to be considered a long shot, several NBA writers evidently believe that it is not impossible, based on recent stories they have written about LeBron James potentially teaming up with Bronny James, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in Arizona.
Check out some of the latest chatter surrounding the potential scenario with the Phoenix Suns. The 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26 and June 27.
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LeBron James' agent: 'LeBron is not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal'
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His agent, Rich Paul told ESPN this on Wednesday: "LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny. If he does, he does. But if he doesn't, he doesn't. 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."
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Christopher Kline writes: "If LeBron is going to leave Los Angeles, odds are he would depart for an established contender with multiple veteran stars (and his son). Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have both been to the Finals. Phoenix can only sign LeBron to a minimum contract, but since the 39-year-old is a literal billionaire, he can probably make the sacrifice if he wants to team up with his firstborn."
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ESPN: Suns have second workout scheduled with Bronny James
Jonathan Givony said: "NBA teams that I talk to say they cannot get Bronny James into their building. Teams that are drafting in the late 20s and 30s. The Phoenix Suns have a second workout scheduled with Bronny later this week, but other than that, we have not seen any NBA team be able to work him out. The sense among teams is that his agent, Rich Paul, does not want him on a two-way contract, and the range he's going to be picked—the 40-58 range—that's where two-way contracts are handed out. So it's looking right now like Bronny is going to slide to No. 55 [to the Lakers]."
The Arizona Republic: Why LeBron James on Phoenix Suns next season isn't that far-fetched
We compiled several reasons why LeBron James could end up on the Suns for the 2024-25 season, including Phoenix's proximity to Los Angeles, the relationship between James and Suns GM James Jones and a potential pairing between James and Kevin Durant.
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Bill Simmons said on his podcast: “There’s a lot of Phoenix buzz right now; I’m just going to say it. And I don’t know if it’s real or not. I think Bronny is going to go in the first round because I think … I think that’s going to be encouraged."
He continued: “Encouraged in a way like, ‘if this happens, then this will happen. (Suns owner) Mat Ishbia has the same media strategist that LeBron and his camp has, Adam Mendelsohn. That makes me a little suspicious.”
He added: “(Klutch Sports) seem really confident that he is getting drafted in the first round. And if you’re Mat Ishbia and the draft sucks, and it’s like let’s get Bronny, and they’re telling us that if we take Bronny, there’s a chance that we can get LeBron too, you have to think about it. I don’t know how many more years LeBron has left, it’s one it’s two, it’s three; whatever he was an All-NBA guy last year… you’ve gotta explore it."
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DraftKings: Suns second in odds to draft Bronny James
The sportsbook has the Los Angeles Lakers at +150 to pick LeBron James' son in the 2024 NBA Draft, with the Suns second at +800. The Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder are each at +1000 in odds for the team to select Bronny James.
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Sports Illustrated: Money the big question in LeBron James speculation with Suns
Kevin Hicks writes: "There have been some whispers that LeBron could be willing to listen to various teams if he were to opt out of his final season of the deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns would be an enticing squad for James to join, as he would gain an instantly stronger roster, more stability at head coach, and a city that is an hour flight away from his family in L.A. The ultimate factor that makes it unlikely is that the elder James would have to accept the veteran minimum of just under $3 million for the upcoming season. It just doesn't make sense for him to sacrifice that much money."
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DraftKings: Suns third in odds to be LeBron James' next team
The sportsbook has LeBron James at -425 to still be with the Lakers next season. The Cavaliers are second, at +750, while the Suns are third at +1000. The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are each at +1400 to be LeBron James' team next season.
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Bleacher Report: Phoenix Suns 'desperate enough' to draft Bronny James
Zach Buckley writes: "The Phoenix Suns are functionally stuck: Over the second apron, lacking control on almost all of their future draft picks and coming up short on both the mid-sized salaries and sweeteners needed to trade for reliable role players. Phoenix, for what it's worth, seems content with its position. And there are worse fates than being tied to a roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Still, the Suns, who need to win big right now to justify the investment in this group, are coming off a 33-loss season and first-round exit. This roster might need reinforcing, it will just be incredibly difficult to do so. Unless, of course, LeBron would be open to signing for dirt cheap for the chance to play with his son. It's a possibility he hasn't previously ruled out. Anyone who isn't worried about money should immediately wind up on the Suns' radar, and the possibility of LeBron joining forces with Durant (not to mention Booker and Beal) sounds like basketball brilliance. Bronny could even make his mark as a perimeter stopper early on, and given Phoenix's general lack of youth, it could be more committed to his long-term development than most teams. Spending the No. 22 pick on the younger James is unrealistic, but the Suns could look to move back 10 or 15 spots to scoop him up and add something to their effectively nonexistent asset collection."
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Kevin Hicks writes: "At the end of the day, it appears the Suns' interest in Bronny is based on one of two things - either the franchise is attempting a historical heist behind the backdrop of a father-son duo or the front office is simply looking to repair a fractured relationship with Klutch Sports that has been an issue for several years now. Bronny James could be especially useful in the future under the wings of a strong organization with what should be coaches that are well-equipped to develop up-and-coming prospects - he could be a worthy selection in the mid-second, even without a package deal with his father."
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That headline above is the actual headline on the story, written by Marissa Myers. She writes: "The Suns at 22nd overall in the NBA Draft are in an ideal position to draft Bronny James. In getting Bronny James, it has been well known that LeBron James wants to play with his son, and with Phoenix needing future guard help it would present a win-win opportunity. The Suns know they are a player away from a championship, and that player will be LeBron James. For James, this is the best opportunity to win another championship with proven players that don’t have a learning curve to go through with experience. Making this ideal for both sides."
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Bleacher Report: Bronny James limiting 2024 NBA Draft exposure, prefers Lakers or Suns
Jack Murray writes: "James limiting his exposure may make it more likely that he winds up with a team he prefers, but it also makes him run the risk of going undrafted. He was mocked to go to the Lakers with the No. 55 pick by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, and it has been reported that the Lakers are not considering James with the No. 17 pick. The Lakers and Suns have a combined three picks in the 2024 Draft, and only the Lakers have a pick in the second round. While Phoenix could elect to take James with the No. 22 pick, that would be quite the swing from his current projections. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games for USC in 2023-24, but did have his season delayed by a cardiac arrest event in the Summer."
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Essentially Sports: Phoenix Suns could force Los Angeles Lakers' hand in 2024 NBA Draft
It writes: "This unexpected media manipulation can force the Lakers to draft Bronny at 17 instead of (Zach) Edey or any other player. It is no wonder that the Suns will be on the lookout for Bronny, standing dangerously close to the Lakers in the first round. This comes with the fact that Bronny’s arrival would possibly initiate LeBron’s move out to Phoenix. With the given possibilities, the Lakers will give their all in drafting Bronny. On the other hand, if they fail to pick the teen, James will consider leaving LA. There are a lot of reasons to back this, with LeBron sharing his desire to play with his son a few years ago. The King has won four titles, and if there’s anything he would love to accomplish more than a fifth ring would be to play alongside Bronny."
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Kevin Hicks writes: "The general expectation around the NBA is that James will decline his player option for the 2024-25 season and enter free agency. While the belief is he will re-sign with the Lakers on a short-term deal, he could listen to overtures from other franchises. The Philadelphia 76ers would have maximum-level money to offer him, but going back to the east coast could be out of the question. Enter the Suns, who could only offer him a veteran's minimum, but would have the advantage of being closely located to his family in L.A., playing with star players in which he's expressed great respect for in the past, and the possibility that the franchise could draft his son. LeBron could ultimately entertain the Suns' pursuit, but this feels like a pipe dream at the end of the day."
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Chris Broussard said on First Things First: "Now, again, strictly from a basketball standpoint, we know he's got lots of money, it's not like he has to get the extra money. He's billionaire, he's fine, but basketball-wise, I'd love it. I mean, he answers the question, the biggest question about that team was what? Their fourth quarter situation. They were the worst fourth quarter team in the league by a healthy margin and because they didn't have a decision maker, that's what LeBron could do, is make the decision for that team. Look, if he went to Phoenix, they'd be nice. And you're close to LA, theoretically, so you'd see the family."
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Jesse Cinquini writes: "Perhaps a playmaker of James’ caliber to complement their trio of elite scorers is what the Suns need in order to make a deep run in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. James is one of the greatest passers the game has ever seen, as he ranks fourth in NBA history in regular-season assists and second behind only former Lakers floor general Magic Johnson in playoff assists. Furthermore, across 71 games played (all starts) with Los Angeles during the 2023-24 regular season, James averaged a team-high 8.3 assists per contest. After competing against one another for such a long time, it would be poetic to see two of the best players of their generation in James and Durant finally join forces."
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Fansided: Don't rule out LeBron James, Bronny James going to the Suns
Jonathan Lurensky writes: "Obviously, we have no idea what the outcome will be at the No. 22 pick right now and if the Suns would draft Bronny James with their only pick. Given the inexperience and bold decision-making we've seen from Ishba to this point — and general manager James Jones' connections to LeBron — however, it can't be ruled out."
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Sports Illustrated: Suns could make 'massive noise' with Bronny James, LeBron James additions
Donnie Druin writes: "Bronny — son of LeBron — will be working out for the Suns ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, which begins on June 26. Some in the NBA world believe a team drafting the USC guard would do so in hopes of obtaining his father, who has a player-option he can decline with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. The NBA offseason never fails to deliver on drama and storylines, though it's clear the Suns could make some massive noise this summer."
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The Athletic: Suns have legitimate interest in Bronny James
Shams Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show: "The Suns' interest in Bronny James is more for Bronny James ... If you're the Suns, that's legitimately the perfect type of player for your system."
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