Bronny James is under more pressure than any rookie in the league. As the son of LeBron James and a player drafted directly into the Lakers’ spotlight, every move he makes is magnified. The expectations are sky-high, and the pressure to live up to them is real.
In his rookie season, Bronny made history as part of the NBA’s first father-son duo. His maturity, work ethic, and team-first mentality stood out early, but his production remained modest: just 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on 31.3% shooting.
With JJ Redick now at the helm and an increased role off the bench expected, Bronny has a real chance to take the next step. But after a shaky start to Summer League, it’s clear he still has a long way to go before securing a long-term NBA future. Here are three key areas he’ll need to improve—fast.
Shooting Consistency
Bronny has struggled to knock down shots at a reliable rate so far. In the 2024-25 campaign, he shot just 28.1% from deep with just nine total threes made. For a Lakers team that needed spacing, Bronny’s inability to shoot cost them greatly, and it’s been one of his biggest areas of weakness. Sadly, the shooting problems continue to persist for James, who is averaging 29.2% from three in the Summer League.
In the loss to the Mavericks this week, he went 1-for-6 from three in his first game in Las Vegas and often looked hesitant from the perimeter. For a guard trying to carve out a role, spacing the floor is non-negotiable, and it will be a focus of his basketball growth. Until he develops a more consistent stroke, defenses will continue to sag off him, and that limits both his value and his confidence. Fortunately, he has the work ethic to keep improving.
Playmaking Under Pressure
He’s shown flashes as a secondary ball handler, but Bronny still tends to rush decisions and react instead of dictate. His natural instincts, honed by years of training with LeBron, are there. But if he can improve his court vision and elevate teammates more consistently, he could become a dependable spark off the bench.
Thanks to a lifetime of training with LeBron and plenty of hard work behind the scenes, Bronny has developed natural NBA instincts, and we’ve seen it at work before. If he’s able to elevate his teammates in a more dramatic way, he’ll be able to make an impact in any role in the backcourt and become the ultimate team player.
Defensive Impact
Bronny is leaning into a defensive identity, which is smart. But to truly earn minutes in that role, he’ll need to get stronger, fight through screens more effectively, and avoid getting bodied in switches. His instincts are solid, but his frame still needs work. Until he can better handle the physicality of the NBA, especially in screens and switches, he’ll remain vulnerable in certain matchups.
Of course, without Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ defense has taken a dip, and those who give the most effort on that end will surely find extra minutes in the rotation. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, James Jr. is a bit undersized for his position, but he knows that he can play above his station with enough effort, aggressiveness, and smart basketball thinking.
Bronny James has the tools, the athleticism, and the name, but that won’t be enough on its own. In today’s NBA, even second-round picks have to scrap for every minute, and the margin for error is razor-thin. If Bronny commits to improving these three key areas, there’s a clear path forward. But if not, even the son of a legend could find himself fighting to stay in the league.
