It’s no surprise Masai Ujiri ‘loves’ Bronny James: Why Raptors are a perfect landing spot for LeBron’s son | Sporting News Canada

A new contender has emerged in the Bronny James sweepstakes.

For the majority of the process ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, James has been linked to the Lakers, Suns and, to a lesser extent, the Mavericks. Toronto is another potential landing spot for James, according to his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.

“Masai [Ujiri, Raptors president] loves him,” Paul told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “They could take him without even seeing him at 31. Workouts aren’t everything for these teams.”

Could the Raptors make a play for James without hosting him for a workout? Here’s why there could be some truth to Toronto’s rumored interest in the USC freshman.

MORE: Tracking latest Raptors draft rumors, including Bronny James interest

Why Raptors are a perfect landing spot for Bronny James

James fits the mold of a Raptors player and addresses a very specific need the team enters the draft with.

At the NBA Draft Combine, James measured a shade under 6-2 and 210 pounds, a strong frame for a point guard with strengths as a defender. James projects as a defense-first lead guard who can knock down open 3s, likening himself to players like Jrue Holiday, Davion Mitchell and Derrick White.

During his exit interview after the 2023-24 season, Ujiri shared that the Raptors will prioritize adding a backup point guard and wing defense during the 2024 NBA Draft, among other things.

“I think when you look at the draft, I think it’s going to be best talent,” Ujiri said. “We always look at the talent when we attack the draft, but honestly, our team is not at a point where we can really pick and choose.

“I know backup point guard is something that we’ll focus on a little bit. I think a wing defender type player is something we’ll focus on.”

James, a former McDonald’s All-American, does not lack talent. He could slide into a backup point guard role behind Immanuel Quickley while also possessing the off-ball skills necessary to play alongside Scottie Barnes, who will continue to grow in his playmaking role as a point forward for Toronto.

Toronto has a multi-year plan to build its roster around Barnes, who was named an All-Star at 22. Looking at the example of the champion Celtics, the Raptors will prioritize shooting, playmaking and defense when assembling a roster built for long-term success.

MORE: What lies ahead for the Raptors during 2024 offseason

Bronny James stats

James was a McDonalds All-American entering his first year at USC. His lone college season was derailed by a cardiac arrest and subsequent surgery to fix a heart defect in June 2023.

James played off the bench for USC, averaging 4.8 points in 19.4 minutes per game.

• 25 games (6 starts)
• 19.4 minutes per game
• 4.8 points per game
• 2.8 rebounds per game
• 2.1 assists per game
• 0.8 steals per game
• 36.6 percent field goal shooting
• 26.7 percent 3-point shooting
• 67.6 percent free throw shooting

Paul told ESPN at the end of May that he cares less about which team drafts James and is more focused on “the plan, the development.”

Raptors NBA Draft picks 2024: When does Toronto pick?

The Raptors own two selections in the 2024 NBA Draft:

• Round 1, No. 19
• Round 2, No. 31

Toronto’s lottery pick was sent to San Antonio as part of the 2023 trade that sent Jakob Poeltl back to the Raptors. The Raptors own the 19th overall pick after acquiring it from the Pacers in the Pascal Siakam trade.

Toronto also owns the No. 31 pick, which originally belonged to Detroit. With 2024 marking the first year of a two-day NBA Draft, the Raptors will open Day 2 by making the first selection of the second round.

Toronto has leverage with its second-round pick, which could be bid on by other teams overnight, according to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie.