ESPN 2024 NBA Mock Draft: Bronny James to Lakers; Donovan Clingan Falls to Blazers

LeBron James might not be forcing the Los Angeles Lakers to draft his son, Bronny, but it's looking increasingly like that will happen during this week's NBA draft.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony projected Bronny James to the Lakers with the No. 55 overall pick in Thursday's second round. The USC guard has only worked out for the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, a move agent Rich Paul said was a strategic decision.

"Bronny is the same as my previous clients," Paul told Givony. "I got the word out early to teams that if you plan on bringing Bronny in, here's what you need to know: If you won't give him a real deal, there's nothing to talk about. It's hard to get real development on a two-way deal.

"I don't care about him going to the Lakers, or Phoenix, or about what number he gets picked. It's about fit."

LeBron James has long said he wanted to spend the final years of his NBA career playing alongside his son, but that stance has changed in recent months. Paul has repeatedly said pairing Bronny with his father is not the No. 1 priority and would not impact LeBron James' decision this summer.

"LeBron is off this idea of having to play with Bronny," Paul told ESPN. "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."

Elsewhere in Givony's projections, UConn center Donovan Clingan fell all the way to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7. Clingan had been getting buzz for the No. 1 overall pick, but it appears French forward Zaccharie Risacher has emerged as the favorite.

The Hawks could target Clingan if they drop in the draft, but No. 7 is considered the 7-footer's "floor" on Wednesday.