Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, continues to face challenges in establishing his place in the league. The 20-year-old guard, who signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract, has struggled to make an impact with limited opportunities on the court.
In his seven NBA appearances this season, Bronny has averaged 0.6 points in just 2.6 minutes per game. However, his performance in the G League has been more encouraging, where he’s averaging 13.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 27 minutes per game over seven outings.
Bronny recently participated in the G League Winter Showcase, providing scouts another chance to evaluate his progress. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, who shared his insights on Substack, scouts agree that Bronny requires significant time in the G League to refine multiple aspects of his game.
Stein wrote, “The unanimous view I heard from watching scouts at the Showcase is that James needs as much time as he can get in the G League to improve all aspects of his point guard play, from his floor game to (especially) his ability to make shots.”
While Bronny’s ball-handling and decision-making remain areas of focus, his inconsistent shooting has drawn the most attention. Scouts believe that addressing this weakness will be crucial for the young guard to carve out a meaningful role in the Lakers’ rotation.
Bronny and Maxwell Lewis were recently recalled from the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, ahead of Los Angeles’ matchup against the Detroit Pistons.
Bronny’s journey is made even more challenging by the high expectations tied to being LeBron James’ eldest son. With the Lakers currently in playoff contention, the coaching staff may continue to prioritize Bronny’s growth in the G League to prepare him for the demanding pace of the NBA.
