Bronny James may be essentially the most hyped second spherical decide in NBA Draft historical past. The fifty fifth general collection of the Lakers in 2024 got here in with hundreds of thousands of followers and followers, in addition to loads of detractors that have been desperate to see him falter.
Being the son of LeBron James comes with loads of perks, but in addition a ton of strain, and Bronny appeared to really feel that in his temporary stints of play with the Lakers’ NBA roster as a rookie. Because the season wore on, he spent extra time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, out of the highlight with extra deal with his precise improvement as a participant.
Coming into his second season within the NBA, there’s much less buzz about him, however after a powerful Summer time League exhibiting, the Lakers are extra optimistic than ever concerning the youngest James’ potential. Lakers lead assistant Nate McMillan not too long ago went on “The Sports activities Store with Reese + Ok-Mac” and mentioned Bronny’s development and improvement within the G League — and why he believes Bronny might issue into the Lakers’ rotation subsequent season:
We have seen plenty of development from yr one. He had, I assumed, a extremely good Summer time League this yr. A younger man like that, coming in with the sort of strain that he got here into the league with final yr, was unbelievable. When he performed within the Las Vegas Summer time League final yr and this yr, his video games have been offered out to see him. The fan base has actually, I feel for essentially the most half, been actually supportive of him.
He spent plenty of time within the G League this season, and I actually really feel that helped him as a result of when he got here out into this Summer time League and performed each sport this summer season, you could possibly see the boldness. He was far more relaxed than he was final yr. And all people would have been as nervous as could be final season, however he was far more relaxed this season. His shot was by no means damaged, however the confidence, you could possibly see he was pulling down these pictures, attending to the basket. Defensively, we needed him to problem himself to select up the ball.
However to see the 2 of them work collectively, it was superb. And LeBron as a father, it was superb. … However LeBron made certain that it was all the time enterprise after they have been on the ground, and that he was setting the instance not just for his son however for his workforce. I really like Bronny. Nice younger man and we count on him to probably get some minutes this yr.
Most of Bronny’s NBA taking part in time final season — 181 minutes in 27 video games — got here throughout rubbish time, however McMillan appears to assume he is creating right into a participant that would determine into the precise Lakers’ rotation ahead of later. The problem for Bronny discovering minutes this yr will probably be that the Lakers have added some extra veteran depth to their backcourt with Marcus Good.
Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will begin, with Good, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht because the anticipated bench depth, however Bronny figures to be sixth in that guard rotation. Whereas that may not imply common minutes early within the season, he might actually discover himself referred to as into motion in the event that they undergo any accidents, and given the Lakers’ perception in his defensive upside, he may get moved up within the rotation for sure matchups.
That might nonetheless signify appreciable development from final yr, and it might be a testomony to the work he is put in and the event plan the Lakers put collectively for him together with their G League employees. It would not be shocking to nonetheless see him make the occasional journey to South Bay to get a extra reside sport reps, however it does sound like Bronny will spend extra time this season on the Lakers’ roster with a shot at actual minutes.
