Bronny James' fit and future with the Lakers -- and next to LeBron

On June 27, 2024, at 11:49 in the evening

Bronny James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers chose a player from USC who is the son of LeBron James, the highest scorer in NBA history, with the 55th pick in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday.

What role will Bronny have in Los Angeles? What aspect of his playing needs the most work as he moves up? Assuming LeBron stays with the Lakers, how many games will they play together in the 2024-25 season?

Our experts who know a lot about the NBA are discussing the main issues about what lies ahead for Bronny in the league. They are exploring how this 6-foot-2 guard can establish a prosperous career in the NBA.

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How Well Does Bronny Fit With The Lakers?

Jeff Borzello: It was always meant to be that Bronny would join his father on the Lakers. He will face high expectations and pressure, but he won't expect to take on a starring role right away. He is willing to be patient, follow the team's development plan, and may even spend some time in the G League before earning more minutes playing with LeBron.

Chris Herring believes it will be interesting to see how Bronny fits into the team, especially without knowing his potential as a professional player or his place on the depth chart. Even though Jalen Hood-Schifino played minimal minutes in his rookie season, it's okay to not have all the answers. The most exciting aspect of this situation is the opportunity for a father and son to play together in an NBA game, a unique and special moment regardless of the outcome on the court. If their partnership grows into something greater, it will be incredible. But even if it doesn't, the experience itself is still remarkable.

Dave McMenamin: Full of pressure. It's exciting that Bronny has achieved his dream of reaching the NBA. However, the challenge lies in the fact that he will always be compared to his father as he tries to establish himself as a pro player. It was inevitable that there would be a lot of attention on Bronny if he made it to the NBA, but playing for the Lakers while LeBron is still playing will bring even more scrutiny.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Maybe the most closely examined second-round pick in history. Ever since LeBron hinted at the possibility, it seemed certain that father and son would eventually play together. Bronny will benefit from learning and developing under his father's guidance. However, no other second-round pick will face the level of scrutiny that Bronny will due to his identity, his father's reputation, and the high-profile Lakers organization. His debut at summer league will likely be the most anticipated and watched Lakers rookie debut since Lonzo Ball's in 2017.

Was Bronny Drafted At The Right Spot At No. 55?

Youngmisuk suggests NBA teams should consider selecting a guard who is intelligent, committed to defense, and shows potential for improvement. James was highly respected by his teammates at USC, making him a worthwhile choice for the Lakers at No. 55, especially considering the uncertainty of second-round draft picks.

Herring: There are many factors to consider when it comes to evaluating where he should have been drafted. His shortened freshman season due to a cardiac arrest makes it difficult to pinpoint his draft position. He was previously projected to be a late second round pick or even go undrafted, which are typically players that teams are willing to take a chance on. The fact that he was eventually selected by the Lakers, especially after his agent Rich Paul advised teams not to pick him, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his draft placement. Now, it is up to James to seize the opportunity he has been given and make the most of it.

McMenamin: It's difficult to say anything other than he made the right choice. Although his performance in college didn't definitively show his potential for the NBA, the key for Bronny was finding a team that had enough faith in him to use a draft pick on him. Now that he has a chance, Bronny's dedication and improvement will decide if the teams that didn't choose him will be seen as smart or wrong in the future.

Borzello believes it was a good gamble to take a chance on him. Many people might think he was picked too early based on his performance in college. However, we have seen players like AJ Johnson, who was ranked lower than Bronny in high school, get selected in the first round after only averaging 2.8 points in Australia. Pacome Dadiet was also picked at No. 25 after scoring 6.8 points per game in Germany. It is not uncommon for teams to take a risk on players with NBA connections and potential in the late second round.

Improving Bronny's Skills For The Next Level

The exciting contributions Bronny James is making to the Lakers

Take a look at the standout highlights from Bronny James' experience at USC as he teams up with LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Borzello pointed out that despite Bronny performing well in high school, he wasn't always successful at creating opportunities by dribbling past defenders and making plays for himself or others. He is strong in fast-break situations and can pass the ball effectively, but he needs to work on his ability to make plays in the half-court.

It would be a big step forward for him to perfect his floater shot. He shows potential as a strong shooter from long range, hitting over 40% of his jump shots at USC. However, if defenders start to challenge his outside shots, he will need to be able to score inside as well, which can be difficult at his height of 6-foot-2. Having a reliable floater shot in his arsenal could greatly benefit his game.

McMenamin points out that Bronny needs to use his motor more often. When looking at Bronny as a potential NBA player, experts see his exceptional athleticism as a strength, but note his lack of size as a weakness. To overcome this, it is suggested that Bronny focus on his explosive activity on the court, such as running, playing tough defense, and making high-flying plays. One scout mentioned that Bronny's background in soccer may have influenced his pacing on the basketball court, as he may be used to the larger soccer field. Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA player who trained with Bronny, also noticed this tendency, describing it as having a powerful engine but not fully utilizing it on the court.

Youngmisuk believes that James has the potential to improve as a 3-point shooter, even though he only made 26.7% of his shots from behind the arc at USC. It's important to remember that James was recovering from a cardiac arrest during a summer workout and did not have a proper offseason to train. When he returned to the court, he was limited in minutes and had trouble finding his groove. Moving forward, James will need to shoot with more confidence and accuracy in order to succeed at the next level.

What Will Determine Bronny's Success In The NBA?

Youngmisuk praises James for his defensive skills. Although he may not have the speed of most point guards or the height of shooting guards in the NBA, James is known for his ability to play defense and make crucial plays to help his team win. He puts in a lot of effort on the defensive side of the court, particularly in guarding opposing guards. James is also highly intelligent when it comes to basketball, always looking to make the right decisions and passes. While he is a strong finisher on offense, he will need to utilize his agility to excel on defense, similar to the chase-down block he made that reminded fans of his father's playing style.

Herring: The Lakers will play a big role in Bronny's growth as a player. Of course, Bronny has a strong background, and we believe he will work hard to improve. But let's face it: Where a player develops can also greatly impact their progress, as Klutch CEO Rich Paul has always emphasized. He was very specific about where Bronny should go, which led him to Los Angeles, where his father has influence in the team. However, it would have been interesting to see Bronny with a team like Miami, San Antonio, or Toronto, known for their excellent player development programs.

McMenamin: The player development program in Los Angeles has shown that James is hardworking and dedicated. He demonstrated this when he came back from a serious heart issue to play with his USC teammates. However, it is clear that he still has a long way to go before he can achieve his goal of being a significant player in the future, rather than just being a bench player.

Borzello discusses the importance of patience and developing players. Bronny was once seen as a potential first-round pick, but the expectation of him making an immediate impact in the NBA was not there. His debut in college was delayed due to a cardiac arrest during practice, and he had a minutes restriction for a while. Despite starting only six college games, Bronny is not expected to start early in the NBA. He has shown steady improvement in high school, indicating he will be patient throughout the development process.

What Is Bronny's NBA Potential?

Youngmisuk noted that James has identified Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Davion Mitchell as players he admires and wants to model his game after. Holiday and White are particularly good role models for the rookie because James aims to have a positive impact on winning like they did for the reigning champions. If James can develop his defensive abilities like those three players, as well as hone his skills in hitting open 3-pointers and executing the small yet impactful facets of the game that Holiday and White excel in, he has the potential for a successful and lengthy career in the NBA.

Herring: Still a mystery. He joined a strong team in the Lakers, who, due to his dad's age, are aiming for big wins now. This can be tough for younger players, especially those drafted in the second round, who are looking to grow in their careers. I believe there is potential for Bronny to improve his playmaking and shooting skills and become a regular player in the rotation. His defensive skills are already impressive. However, transitioning from a short college season at USC to the NBA will be a huge challenge for someone his size. Let's wait and see how he performs on the court first. He will need time to develop, and I truly hope he is given that chance.

Borzello believes that Bronny has the potential to become a key player in a short amount of time. His current skills make him a solid 3-and-D guard with a good understanding of the game, able to distribute the ball and lead an offense. If he works on his ball-handling and playmaking abilities, he could reach even greater heights. Bronny has shown that he is willing to play a supportive role and is not looking to be the star player in the NBA or G League right away. By committing to USC, even with top recruits already on the team, he is prepared to earn his place and contribute in whatever role is needed.

McMenamin suggests focusing on the goal of becoming a key player on a successful team rather than just reaching his maximum potential. Becoming a rotational player on a winning team could lead to long-term success, higher earnings, and the satisfaction of utilizing his strong basketball IQ. By making meaningful contributions to a winning team, he can establish his own identity separate from his famous father, as he stated during the pre-draft combine in Chicago.

Number Of Games LeBron And Bronny Will Play In 2024-25?

Youngmisuk: My guess is that LeBron James Jr. will only play for ten minutes or less in games, mostly during times when the game is already decided. It's probably going to be rare to see him play on the court at the same time as his father, as the Lakers are adapting to a new coach and are focused on winning now. The priority should be on Bronny improving his skills and gaining experience.

Hypothetically speaking, LeBron and his son Bronny may only share a few games together on the court. This could potentially happen towards the end of games that are already determined. LeBron may not need much convincing to play in these less important moments, but at nearly 40 years old, there is a risk of injury if he plays too long. Playing in brief garbage time situations, like preseason games, could be a good opportunity for this father-son duo to share the court.

Borzello believes that the two players will only play a few minutes together in games, usually towards the end. However, there may be a strategy to have them play together early in the season a few times before having Bronny play more in the G League.

McMenamin believes that LeBron is not only thinking about the number of games he has played, but also all the time spent on practices, traveling, and meals away from home that he could have spent with his son. By playing basketball together, they are not just bonding on the court, but also sharing valuable moments with each other. Let's not forget the importance of this meaningful relationship beyond the game.