Bryce James' Top Potential Landing Spots in 2027 after 2026 NBA Draft
The 2026 NBA draft is in full swing, and there is still just one of LeBron James' sons in the league.
But perhaps that will change in the future.
Bryce James, who just completed his freshman season at Arizona, did not enter the 2026 NBA draft. Perhaps he will in 2027, though, and follow his father, LeBron, and brother, Bronny, to the sport's highest level.
That is just one option for the Arizona guard. With that in mind, here is a look at his potential landing spots down the line.
Remain at Arizona
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James is yet to take the court during his career with the Wildcats after redshirting his freshman season.
"The redshirting decision was just a long play, to give Bryce the most options in his career as his career unfolds," head coach Tommy Lloyd told the Big 12 Network in February (h/t the Associated Press). "I have real strong belief that Bryce will be a contributor at Arizona in the near future. He's really shown a lot of progress, not only learning our system but just physically maturing."
Remaining at Arizona for three or four years could give him an opportunity to realize that potential and demonstrate the progress he has made at one of the country's best programs.
The Wildcats are coming off a Final Four appearance and have reached the Sweet 16 in four of Lloyd's five years. He is one of the best coaches in the nation, and James' chance at making significant strides as a player only increases the longer he gets a chance to work with the guard.
While Bronny James remained at USC for just one season, perhaps the best long play for Bryce is to focus on where he is at and take advantage of the opportunity to develop at an elite program for a number of years.
Explore 2027 NBA Draft
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Los Angeles Lakers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bronny James wasn't exactly considered a can't-miss NBA prospect when he entered the 2024 NBA draft. After all, he averaged just 4.8 points per game while shooting 36.6 percent from the field during his one season with USC.
Yet that didn't stop the Los Angeles Lakers from drafting him and making him teammates with his famous father.
Bronny has remained a secondary contributor for the Lakers, although he saw important minutes in the team's first-round win over the Houston Rockets when Luka DonÄiÄ and Austin Reaves were sidelined.
It is not exactly a stretch to suggest a team that has LeBron James on the roster would be willing to draft another one of his sons since basketball fans just saw it happen in 2024. While LeBron's own future is up in the air at this point, the thought here is he will either remain with the Lakers or join the Cleveland Cavaliers as a fitting homecoming if he doesn't retire.
And that means they are both potential landing spots for Bryce.
Transfer Portal
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James is yet to see playing time at Arizona, and it may be an uphill battle to see significant action on the court with an annual national title contender.
But there could be more playing time available if he decides to enter the transfer portal at some point.
James was a 3-star recruit in the class of 2025, per 247Sports' composite rankings. Duquesne was one of the programs that recruited him and offered a scholarship, and it could be a potential landing spot if he is looking for more playing time in the future.
And there is a connection in place, as Duquesne head coach Dru Joyce III is lifelong friends with former high school teammate LeBron James.
Bronny could thrive with the additional playing time that came with joining Duquesne and perhaps improve his eventual NBA draft outlook in the process.
