The James family has a knack for stirring up headlines wherever they land. Take LeBron James, still ruling the court at 40 when 2003 classmates settled into alternative careers. His oldest son, Bronny, has left behind all those controversies and nepotism tags. And now leaving a serious mark in the G League this season. Then there’s Bryce James, the youngest spark in the family, heading to the University of Arizona soon. He’s already projected as a 2026 NBA Draft prospect with plenty of buzz. While the James family should be celebrating, an old friend of LeBron and Kobe Bryant just sounded a heavy warning.
As hoop runs in the blood, Bryce James of the Sierra Canyon High School, one of California’s premier hoops factories, has now joined the University of Arizona as a freshman for the 2025-26 season. We all know that with that surname comes towering expectations both inside and outside the league. Having said that, fans and scouts alike are banking on big things from this James junior. His current $1.3 million NIL deal with Klutch Sports only adds fuel to the hype machine. As Bryce prepares to step onto the college hardwood, Tracy McGrady, LeBron’s longtime friend, just fired a cautionary shot.
On a recent episode of the Club 520 Podcast, Tracy McGrady spotlighted a harsh reality young hoopers now face. He said, “I think you got to have people around you that understand finances, okay, what I mean, because giving high school kids, you know, 2, $5 million, that’s tough to have for them on their mental…” McGrady was speaking hard-earned truth.
At that age, it’s dangerously easy to let money dictate your every move. And Tracy knows that better than most, because: “I was 18 years old, coming out of high school, signed a $12 million deal. But I still kept my drive, like I didn’t let that affect where I wanted to go with my game.” Later in the episode, McGrady didn’t pull punches about the mental toll young athletes face. “It’s scary, man. It’s a scary situation,” he admitted. “So that’s all they see, yeah they’re consuming all this information via social media. And they think “Damn I’m getting this money like I got a lot of money in my pocket, I’m rich now,”” he added. And he’s not wrong.
Because social media relentlessly spotlights the glitz while burying the darker realities under the rug. No amount of fast money guarantees long-term security in this league. Even seasoned veterans have gone broke chasing that illusion. Take Allen Iverson’s infamous financial spiral for example. And since Bryce is also chasing the glorifying light of the NBA, he should take this advice seriously.
Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; West guard Bronny James (6) poses for a family photo with grandmother Gloria Marie James, mother Savannah James , brother Bryce Maximus James, sister Zhuri Nova James and father LeBron James following the McDonald’s All American Boy’s high school basketball game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Bryce James is out to carve his lane, separate from his father, LeBron James’ towering shadow. As a recent graduate and soon-to-be University of Arizona freshman, his NBA future remains a massive question mark. Whether he’ll warrant a draft selection is anybody’s guess right now. But if Bryce proves he’s built for the big stage, where could his first NBA stop be?
Bryce James’ first possible stop in the NBA
Last Wednesday, June 25, the very day of the draft night, Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report listed three ideal landing spots for Bryce James. Assuming he proves himself NBA material, of course. Among the usual suspects were the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. But one team makes the most sense on paper: the Miami Heat.
“If there’s a team that excels at turning late-round draft picks into everyday NBA players, it’s the Miami Heat. Landing in Miami could be the perfect thing for Bryce early in his career,” Peters wrote. “Barring a standout freshman year, it seems unlikely he’ll be as NBA-ready as prospects like AJ Dybantsa and others… Miami would be a great place for him to do that.”
So, where does Bryce James end up? Will he follow in his father’s footsteps and stay close to home with the Lakers, find the perfect developmental fit in Miami, or carve out his path with a surprise team? While it’s still early to call, the intrigue around his future is only growing. If you’ve got a take on where this James prodigy is headed, drop it in the comments—because this story is just getting started, and we’re all watching closely.
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