Bronny James wasn’t anticipated to be on the identical stage as his father, but when the Lakers develop him properly, he might flip right into a strong NBA participant if all goes properly.
When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James fifty fifth general within the 2024 NBA Draft, it was instantly clear that the transfer was accomplished simply to appease his father, LeBron. Bronny had sufficient expertise to play Division I basketball in faculty, however his NBA viability has lengthy been referred to as into query.
Nonetheless, after struggling a cardiac arrest in 2023, the youthful James has bounced again and is a high-level G League participant, and his discovering a point of NBA success just isn’t out of the realm of risk.
One former All-Star outlined how the Lakers can get probably the most out of Bronny.
Each time Bronny performs alongside his father, whatever the end result, NBA media will get swept up in a frenzy surrounding one of many extra distinctive tales in sports activities. Nonetheless, in his 16 appearances, he’s averaging solely 4 minutes and isn’t precisely in the very best spot to develop in Los Angeles.
Nonetheless, on the G League South Bay Lakers, Bronny is shining and exhibiting enchancment. In 5 regular-season video games, he’s averaging 22.6 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and a couple of.2 steals. He’s additionally taking pictures 39% from 3-point vary.
“He’s taking part in 40 minutes an evening,” stated Kenyon Martin on the Gil’s Enviornment podcast about Bronny’s success within the G League.
“Take all of the pictures you wish to take, Bronny, there’s no restrictions. That is what he would have been doing in faculty, it will have been the identical, so let him do this proper now. Convey him up for the playoffs.”
James is averaging solely 33 minutes, not 40, however Martin makes a good level. In South Bay, he will get all of the touches he might presumably need and is put able to succeed.
Lots of second-round picks fall to the wayside once they go to the G League, however Bronny’s final title provides him a singular likelihood to remain on the radar even when he isn’t taking part in NBA video games. He isn’t signed to a regular contract, so he generally is a issue within the playoffs if the Lakers want him, however Martin thinks he ought to spend as a lot time as doable within the G League.
“G League season is shorter than the NBA season, so when his season is over, convey him up, however till then, let him keep,” Martin continued.
“There’s a plan. It’s a graveyard for lots of them dudes when the group doesn’t have a plan, however he has an NBA contract, he doesn’t have a two-way contract, he’s not going to get misplaced.”
James does have the bodily instruments and dimension to be a respectable NBA participant, particularly on the defensive facet of the ball.
He has a excessive basketball IQ and good passing instincts, however his shot–particularly towards bigger defenders–wants some work. He’s additionally extremely turnover-prone, but when the Lakers deal with him like a venture as a substitute of a sideshow attraction, he might emerge within the rotation subsequent season.
