The NBA G League spotlighted Bronny James on Monday, recognizing the 20-year-old guard’s impressive rookie campaign with the South Bay Lakers.
James, the son of NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James, averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds over 11 G League appearances. It was a significant jump from his limited NBA minutes.
In South Bay wins, he shot 51% from the field, 45% from three, and 88% from the line. Bronny showcased a scoring efficiency that turned heads across the league’s development ranks.
While James split time between the South Bay Lakers and the Los Angeles Lakers during his rookie season, his NBA numbers were modest — 2.3 points in just 7.6 minutes per game across 27 appearances. Still, the G League’s public praise of his performance appears to signal confidence in his long-term development.
Momentum Building for Year 2
According to a Western Conference executive who spoke to Athlon Sports, Bronny is now expected to crack the Lakers’ rotation in 2025. The exec projected 10 to 15 minutes per game. He cited the young guard’s growth throughout his rookie campaign and his ability to respond to increased responsibility.
“He gets a lot of grief because of who his dad is,” the executive said, “but he was a lot better player in April than he was in October and definitely in July.”
His post-All-Star numbers — including 3.9 points per game on nearly 36% shooting — support that assessment. So does his standout 17-point, 5-assist outing against Milwaukee.
Development First, Then Opportunity
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has also shown a willingness to lean on developing players when they’re ready. And Bronny’s G League stats suggest that time may be near.
“If he’s good enough, he’ll play,” the same executive said of Redick’s philosophy.
Eyes Now on Summer League
With the Las Vegas Summer League on the horizon, all eyes will be on Bronny. Lakers brass are hoping to see a more polished version of the player they drafted 55th overall last June. If his G League form translates to the summer stage, expectations for regular-season minutes could quickly become reality.