LeBron James Jr. is taking a slow and steady approach with his NBA development but don’t think for one second that he won’t have a chance to earn his place in the rotation right away. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Shams Charania confirmed that Bronny is not only expected to play on opening week, but he will also see some extended time on the floor throughout the regular season.
“LeBron James and Bronny James, we saw that duo yesterday… I would expect them to make their debut together in the opening week of the NBA season, possibly on opening night from what I’ve been told. Bronny James will spend a lot of time on the active roster. Once the G-League season starts he’s going to be shuttling back and forth.”
Most second-round picks spend the majority of their rookie year in the G-League and we know that Bronny will get assigned there at some point in the season. But unlike others in his area of the draft, James has a real chance to earn his place on the Lakers actual rotation.
Bronny, 19, is fresh off his Freshman season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points per game for the Trojans. Despite modest numbers and a medical health scare earlier last summer, Bronny was able to secure his ticket to the league thanks to his dad and Rich Paul, who ensured that other teams were scared off from selecting James.
Bronny was picked with by the Lakers at 55 and the stage is set for the pair to make history later this month as the first active father-son duo in NBA history. The first Lakers game this season is on Tuesday, October 22nd against the Timberwolves. Their next game is at home against the Phoenix Suns before their final game of the week against the Kings on Saturday.
All three matchups will be an excellent test for the Lakers and Bronny will see some time on the floor in at least one of the games. New head coach JJ Redick is already committed to Bronny’s development and he’s a firm believer in the young guard’s ability to make winning basketball plays.
What happens after that depends solely on Bronny. If he plays well and starts strong, he may earn a place in the backcourt rotation with D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Max Christie. Regardless, Bronny will have a stint with the South Bay Lakers so he can get the minutes and attention he needs to properly develop his game.
Even with skills as a shooter, playmaker, and versatile defender, Bronny’s smaller size and inexperience will make it harder for him to carve out a permanent place in the rotation. But if he can clean up his game and patch his flaws in all areas of the court, Bronny could soon find himself exceeding expectations as a teenager in the league.
Only time will tell how the journey ends for Bronny but the odds are certainly in his favor given that he’s got LeBron James to help him through every step. If he lives up to his potential, Bronny will build a real future with the Lakers and a legacy for himself that’s separate from the shadow of his dad.
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