USC’s season concluded on Thursday afternoon at the Pac-12 tournament with a 70-49 loss to top-seeded Arizona in Las Vegas.

With the end of USC’s challenging 15-18 season, attention turns to the NBA draft decisions for the team’s prospects. Isaiah Collier, a projected lottery pick, is anticipated to enter the 2024 draft. Bronny James, on the other hand, faces a different decision-making process. NBA teams have long considered him a potential candidate to turn professional after his freshman year, largely due to the possibility of him joining a team alongside his father, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

This season has been a significant achievement for Bronny James, who returned to the court after experiencing cardiac arrest during a workout last July, attributed to a congenital heart defect. After a five-month hiatus, James resumed play for the Trojans on Dec. 10, gradually carving out a regular role off the bench.

In 25 games, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. While these statistics may not immediately position him as a one-and-done prospect, NBA teams have been quietly preparing for James to potentially enter the 2024 draft and explore professional opportunities, like any other prospect. However, his decision to stay in the draft remains uncertain at this stage.

LeBron James has expressed his desire to share the professional court with his eldest son and has emphasized that Bronny will make his own choice regarding the draft. This situation has sparked speculation that drafting Bronny could enhance a team’s prospects of acquiring LeBron in free agency, whether in 2024 or beyond. LeBron James has until June 29 to decide whether to exercise his $51.4 million player option with the Lakers.

Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports and LeBron’s long-standing agent, recently told ESPN that Bronny’s decision will be influenced more by specific team interest rather than draft position.

“I prioritize placing a young player in the right team and developmental environment over simply securing a spot in the lottery,” Paul stated.

Due to his heart condition, James will need clearance from the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel before he can participate in activities. Subsequently, individual teams and their medical staff will assess his health. Players have until April 23 to declare themselves as early entrants for the draft, with the NCAA withdrawal deadline set for 11:59 p.m. ET on May 31.

In order to gain insight into how NBA teams perceive James as a draft prospect and the potential implications of his candidacy, ESPN interviewed three NBA executives who agreed to share their opinions on the condition of anonymity.

To be frank, our expectations for Bronny at the beginning of the season weren’t particularly high. While some draft mocks placed him in the top 20, our team didn’t see him as that caliber of player. It’s unclear what his specific role will be, and projecting his performance in a half-court setting is challenging. He lacks significant ability to create separation off the dribble and isn’t a strong perimeter shooter, which may limit his offensive impact until he proves otherwise. Defensively, he may struggle against quicker guards and has room for improvement in navigating screens.

The medical concerns are also noteworthy. Our medical staff takes a conservative approach, and we always carefully consider players with a history of heart issues, such as Jared Butler and Keyontae Johnson. However, considering LeBron’s involvement and his son’s well-being, it’s unlikely that they would take any unnecessary risks. Money isn’t a factor for them, and health considerations outweigh basketball concerns. From what we’ve heard, Bronny’s medical situation seems to be progressing positively.