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Givony and Woo project the Lakers using the No. 55 pick in order to draft the son of LeBron James, days before James' deadline to accept or decline his Lakers player option.
The ESPN analysts meanwhile project that the San Antonio Spurs will use the No. 4 pick of the draft to select former UConn standout Stephon Castle, who Givony and Woo write could add perimeter shooting to an offense powered by 2023 top pick Victor Wembanyama.
The 2024 NBA Draft is slated to kick off on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET.
LeBron James must decide by June 29 whether to take his $51.4 million player option to stay in Los Angeles.
Although reporters including ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium have pushed back against the idea that LeBron James will make his free agency decision based on Bronny's draft position, the Lakers have continued to show interest in the former USC guard.
Dan Woike reported for the Los Angeles Times that James participated in a pre-draft workout for the Lakers, who were interested in "his athleticism, defensive potential and shooting at the Chicago draft combine."
James has also worked out for the Phoenix Suns, although Givony said Tuesday that other teams "say they cannot get Bronny James into their building" for another workout.
In addition to the Lakers and the Suns, James has been tied with the Dallas Mavericks, who NBA insider Marc Stein said "would have interest" in drafting James if he falls to No. 58.
Castle, meanwhile, has been projected going as high as the No. 2 pick thanks to the two-way role he played for Dan Hurley's Huskies as UConn earned a second consecutive NCAA title.
The 6-foot-6 guard has previously been mocked as going to the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets, but the Spurs could be hoping he falls to No. 4 so that the team can boost their perimeter defense.
San Antonio ranked among the bottom 10 defensive teams in the league last season by allowing 115.6 points per 100 possessions. If Castle is able to translate his ability to defend perimeter scorers from the NCAA to the NBA, he could form an important part of the Spurs' defense as the franchise looks to take the next step in its ongoing rebuild next season.
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