Should the Son of a Future Hall of Famer Play Another Season in the G-League?
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming into the season with a new and more developed team that can give them a high chance of winning their 18th championship. With new players, old returnees, and young risers, the Lakers have high hopes for this upcoming year. One of those young risers is Bronny James, the son of NBA great and Lakers teammate LeBron James. Bronny, who just finished his rookie season, mainly played in the G-League for the South Bay Lakers. Although the younger James did not disappoint in the G-League, the Lakers' depth and talent in both their starting and second unit present a tough competition for him to see key minutes in his second season. With Bronny coming into this season with some expectations, he should play another season with the South Bay Lakers to further develop his skills and experience.
In his first season with the South Bay Lakers, Bronny demonstrated his versatility, averaging approximately 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and nearly two steals per game in 11 games. He occasionally transitioned between the G-League and the NBA, being called up to play for the Lakers. In his rookie year with the Lakers, he averaged two points per game in 27 games, playing an average of six minutes per contest. His standout performance was a 17-point game against the Bucks, showcasing his potential impact on the Lakers when allowed minutes.
Bronny also showed some improvement this offseason in the NBA Summer League, where he played with more confidence and looked more comfortable running the offense with the ball in his hands. He is an unselfish player who can get to the basket and either make a play for himself or his teammates, while also being a pest on the defensive end. Because of the new signings the Lakers made in the offseason, it will be difficult for Bronny to see the floor, especially with multiple veteran signings. However, Bronny should use this to his advantage, as he can learn from these veteran players at practice, which will help push him to get better. If the Lakers have problems with injuries throughout the 82-game season, Bronny should expect to hear his name called and show what he is capable of doing. Other than that, Bronny should play an extra season in the G-League, and expect him to dominate in his second season.
