In the aftermath of his team’s first Summer League game this year, young guard Bronny James had a chat with the media on expectations for the upcoming season. While Bronny is aware of his offensive limitations, he knows there are other ways he can impact the game and earn his place on the team.
“It’s made me think about being more aggressive on that end of the floor. But I can’t lose that defensive drive that will get me on the floor because there’s gonna be guys that can go out and score 15-20 a game,” said Bronny via Dan Woike. “I’m most likely not going to be that guy right now, but to get myself on the floor, I have to be a defensive menace, and that’s my main focus. It’s been shown that I know how to score the ball a little bit, so I stand true to that, but also focus on the defensive end.”
Bronny did not play in the Lakers’ Summer League loss to the Warriors on Saturday. Despite his absence, James is expected to play a major role in the Lakers’ rotation next season, and he may even earn a steady place in the second unit as a primary playmaker and ball handler.
The young shooting guard was drafted 55th overall in 2024 and is coming off a modest rookie season with averages of 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on 31.3% shooting. He made history last year as the first father-son duo in NBA history, but it’s only just the beginning of his NBA journey.
For Bronny, it’s about continuing his trajectory and proving that he belongs in the NBA. After playing a limited role in the 2024-25 campaign (average of 6.7 minutes in 27 games), the Lakers will be leaning on him more going forward, and it’s the perfect opportunity for Bronny to step up and rise to the occasion.
While he has shown flashes of being a shooter, James’ specialty isn’t on the offensive end. If he wants to succeed and live up to his full potential on the court, Bronny’s attention is best focused on playing defense. His quickness, court awareness, and effort level ensure he’s always playing with the right defensive energy and that he’s making a positive impact on his team.
Regardless of what progress Bronny makes next season, JJ Redick will give him plenty of time to learn and follow in the footsteps of his dad. While he may not be what he once was, LeBron is also a naturally gifted defender, and it’s no surprise he passed the talent over to his son.
More than anything, the key to Bronny’s success next season will be hard work throughout the season. If James Jr. is willing to put in the time and effort it takes to improve, his development will be a breeze, and his transition to the NBA will be labeled a success.
As a team desperate to compete for LeBron’s final stretch, the Lakers are happy to take whatever Bronny gives them, and they are hopeful that whatever boost he provides off the bench will help them make a run in the West in the West.
