One of the big storylines for the Los Angeles Lakers this season was the development of rookie guard Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. Many were skeptical when the Lakers took him with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, especially since it seemed to many that his father and Klutch Sports had funneled him to the organization in order to fulfill his father's bucket list dream of playing alongside him.
The younger James struggled during summer league play and was shuttled between the G League and the NBA instead of being kept in the G League full-time, which led to more criticism. After initially struggling in the G League, he started to get the hang of things and put up some promising stats.
There now seems to be some tangible hope that the younger James can become a viable rotation player in the NBA. However, he's still a long way from being just that, although he has made measurable progress.
Bronny James' season stats
In 27 regular-season games with the Lakers, the younger James averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds in 6.7 minutes a game while shooting 31.3% from the field and 28.1% from 3-point range.
In 11 regular-season G League games, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals a game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 38% from 3-point range.
Overall Analysis
While playing with the big-league Lakers, the younger James often looked overwhelmed on both ends of the floor. He had lots of trouble getting good looks for himself, let alone making such shots, and defensively, he often got burned.
But starting in late December with a 23-point, nine-rebound, six-assist performance, he began to excel in the G League. He went over the 30-point mark twice in 11 games there, which included a 39-point outburst on 14-of-22 shooting from the field in his penultimate G League contest on March 24.
He has demonstrated the ability to hit outside shots off the bounce, as well as the ability to penetrate and score. While he isn't a true point guard (some have even described him as an undersized 2-guard), he has pushed the pace and set up his teammates well at times.
The 20-year-old seems to have nice defensive instincts, and he seems willing to put in plenty of effort when it comes to guarding the other team's main ball-handler. He has some work to do as far as being an all-around defensive force, but his 6-foot-7 wingspan and 40.5-inch vertical leap will help on that end of the floor.
He needs to improve his ability to knock down outside shots in catch-and-shoot situations, especially since he won't be a featured offensive player if he ever makes it in the NBA. He also needs to do a better job of backing up big performances with, at the very least, decent games. He has a habit so far of putting forth a big scoring game, only to shoot poorly in his next contest.
But the good news, as far as the younger James is concerned, is that the criticism of him has quieted quite a bit, and he has done it himself. By all accounts, he has a good attitude and work ethic, and despite his extremely privileged upbringing, he doesn't seem to have a sense of entitlement.
Bronny James' contract situation
One reason people have criticized the younger James and his father is the fact that the former was quickly signed to a standard four-year contract worth $7.9 million. But the good thing about that contract is that if he does indeed become worthy of a spot in an NBA team's rotation soon enough, it would come with the Lakers.
The Lakers need viable young contributors on inexpensive contracts, and he is suddenly a candidate to become one such man.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN even said recently that the University of Southern California product could be a rotation player with the big-league Lakers by the middle of next season if he continues on his current trajectory.
Overall grade: B-minus/B
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Bronny James
English (US) ·