In Las Vegas, under the bright Summer League lights and the eyes of a buzzing crowd, a familiar presence settled into a courtside seat, LeBron James. But this time, he wasn’t there as an NBA superstar or Lakers leader.
He was there as a father, locked in on his son Bronny James, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League squad. What followed was a masterclass in mentorship as LeBron’s real-time instructions from the sideline helped spark a confident and aggressive version of Bronny on the court.
👑 The King in the building!
LeBron James pulled up with the fam to support Bronny at Summer League 🔥💪
It’s all love, all legacy. 🏀❤️ pic.twitter.com/ALp3iDwJI9
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 13, 2025
Throughout the Lakers’ 94-81 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Bronny fed off LeBron’s energy. After scoring on a drive early in the game, he received direct praise and advice from his father.
“More. More. Get downhill more,” LeBron shouted from his seat. The message was clear: be aggressive, attack the lane, and assert yourself. Bronny listened and responded.
A few possessions later, Bronny did exactly what LeBron had called for, slicing through the defense for another layup. Moments like this weren’t isolated. Early in the fourth quarter, after Bronny drove baseline and dished a pass that went out of bounds, LeBron immediately gave a course correction: “Pull-up. Going right, that’s a pull-up.”
Later, when Bronny got the ball on the wing, LeBron yelled, “Knock it down!” Bronny calmly rose and drained the three. It was a sequence of small interactions, but they had a massive impact on Bronny’s confidence and decision-making throughout the game.
Bronny finished with 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting, adding three assists, two steals, and playing solid defense, despite nursing a sore hip after a hard fall. His reads, pace, and poise showed maturity, and having LeBron courtside undoubtedly amplified his rhythm.
Lakers Summer League coach Lindsey Harding emphasized that it’s not just about making shots but making the right plays, and Bronny is starting to grasp that balance.
LeBron eventually left with about five minutes remaining, having seen enough. But his imprint on the game lingered. Bronny’s aggressiveness didn’t just stem from his own confidence; it was summoned by one of the greatest basketball minds ever, someone who happens to know his game better than anyone else.
This wasn’t just a proud dad cheering. It was a tactical master nudging a young player into finding his edge, and Bronny showed he’s listening. Summer League is often about reps and development, but for Bronny James, it’s also become a platform to grow under the sharp, watchful eye of his father.
Bronny is turning heads in Summer League, averaging 10.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across three games for the Lakers.
He made waves with his defensive effort against No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg in the matchup against the Mavericks, showcasing the two-way potential that has long intrigued scouts.
Bronny appears committed to carving out a role as a defensive specialist, and his poise, activity, and awareness on that end of the floor have all been on full display.
But the uncertainty around LeBron’s future bleeds directly into the fate of Bronny James. The Lakers selected him with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft largely as a goodwill gesture toward LeBron, and his rookie campaign showed flashes of two-way promise.
But now? He’s no longer just the son of the superstar. He’s a potential pawn. If LeBron stays, Bronny likely gets more runway and a key developmental role. If LeBron leaves, the Lakers face a decision: do they keep Bronny on merit, or try to include him in a broader reset?
Internally, the front office views him as a cost-controlled asset with upside, but executives around the league acknowledge that his true value remains intrinsically tied to his father’s presence. As LeBron’s future becomes more uncertain by the day, so too does Bronny’s path in Los Angeles.
Bronny James is no longer just chasing a dream, he’s chasing a place in the league, with his father’s shadow both guiding and defining the path. As LeBron’s future with the Lakers teeters, Bronny’s own destiny hangs in the balance, caught between promise and politics in the heart of Hollywood.
