Bronny James set for major new Lakers role amid doubts over dad LeBron's NBA future
Bronny James set for major new Lakers role amid doubts over dad LeBron's NBA future
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By ERIC BLUM
Despite struggling as a rookie, Bronny James is set for a big sophomore season with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to one Western Conference executive.
After being selected No 55 overall in last year's NBA Draft, with some obvious interference from dad LeBron James and family friend and Lakers' head coach JJ Redick, Bronny only played in 27 games and 181 big-league minutes.
LeBron James' son was far from impressive as a role player, amassing 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. That's hardly worth the second-most-lucrative NBA contract of all-time for a second-round pick.
Bronny spent plenty of time with the G League's South Bay Lakers, where his stats improved drastically with 21.9 points per contest and a 44.3-percent shooting percentage.
The 20-year-old James is set to be part of an NBA roster for much longer in the upcoming months due to his impressive developmental-league showing.
'I don't think there's any doubt that's their plan,' the executive told Athlon Sports. 'I know the guy gets a lot of grief because of who his dad is, but we've seen a lot of tape on (Bronny) and the fact is, he was a lot better player in April than he was in October, and definitely in July.'
Despite struggling as a rookie, Bronny James is set for a big sophomore season with the Lakers
LeBron James' son had an unimpressive first season with the Lakers after his draft selection
'He's 20 years old. He had a whole year where his development was thrown all out of whack. But he can defend the perimeter and he showed he can shoot the 3. If he can show that wasn't a fluke, he is going to start getting 10, 15 minutes a night because the team is going to feel like they can trust him.'
'I think he is going to do all that. He is going to be a regular for them next year.'
The Lakers do have plenty of options after a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
Los Angeles acquired Luka Doncic last season, adding depth to the position where Bronny is best suited to play.
It will be tough for Bronny to ever outgrow the influence of his father. One way to distance himself would be to raise his level of play in front of an NBA audience.
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