In the aftermath of a loss on opening night in the Summer League, Lakers guard Bronny James opened up on his role this upcoming season. After a modest start to his professional journey, James Jr. knows he can’t yet be a consistent scorer, but he can still earn minutes as a playmaker, ball handler, and key perimeter defender.
“Saving myself as a defensive guy,” said Bronny in a chat with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I’m not gonna be the scoring guy, like I said, so I just gotta hold my ground.“
Besides being in the first game of the 2K26 Summer League tournament, tonight was also Bronny’s first matchup against Cooper Flagg, the NBA’s number one overall pick in 2024. He had a lot to say about him in a quick media chat in the first quarter, but he followed it up with even more praise after the game.
“He’s great, I watched him a lot in college, and he’s an amazing player,” said James on Flagg. “I have a lot of respect for him; he’s going to be special.”
The Lakers went 2-1 in the California Classic, but 2K’s Summer League is an entirely different beast. Their very first assignment was a stacked Mavericks squad that held the Lakers to 36.7% shooting as a team. Bronny, who dropped eight points, two rebounds, and two assists on 25.0% shooting, was -3 in the game, and he showed the occasional flash of greatness.
He was overshadowed by Flagg tonight, who dropped 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. He was huge down the stretch for the Mavericks, and even though he only shot 23.8%, he still managed to make an impact with his defensive effort, shot selection, and leadership on both ends of the floor. He was seen as the hero of the night after Bronny missed the late-game three that would have given the Lakers the win.
With Luka Doncic gone, Flagg stands as the centerpiece of Dallas’ next era—and the pressure is on for him to deliver. Clearly, Cooper still has a long way to go before he’s in his peak NBA form, but we’ve seen enough to recognize that he can make a massive difference for them and their standing in the West.
Regarding Bronny, if he wants the easiest path to success in the NBA, it makes sense for him to focus his efforts on defense and learn to rely less on his shooting. He went 1-6 from three tonight, and unless he improves, it will continue to be a major problem for the Lakers. The road ahead is long, but his early comments have already indicated a passion for improvement and a winner’s mentality that will help him maximize his potential.
As Bronny James continues to find his rhythm, performances like this remind fans and the Lakers coaching staff that he’s embracing the grind. His willingness to take on a defensive identity, coupled with his respect for the league’s rising talent, shows a level of maturity rare for a player with his spotlight. The tools are there. If Bronny stays committed to growth, there’s a real chance he’ll carve out a role in the league, not just because of his name, but because of the work he puts in to earn it.
