In June 2024, when he was selected with the 55th overall pick in the draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James became by far the most talked-about player ever selected so low in the draft.
While ink is rarely spilled over a player selected near the end of the second round, the situation for Bronny was, of course, entirely different.
As LeBron’s son, the attention on him was intense, and many had accused the Lakers of selecting him solely to please their superstar.
Bronny’s first NBA season did little to improve his reputation, as he saw very little playing time with the Lakers and his stats were rather disappointing, though it was hard to expect more from a player like him in his rookie year.
This summer, Bronny James’ future likely became even more complicated following LeBron James’ departure from the Lakers for Philadelphia.
This season will be the last guaranteed year of James’ rookie contract, while the final year is a team option held by the Lakers, who will be able to use this season as a litmus test for the young player’s potential.
Bronny James’ third year in the NBA, therefore, could be decisive in determining if he can become a reliable rotation player or if he is destined to join the ranks of journeymen who bounce between teams without ever finding a home.
Credit AP – Scanpix
The improvements in his second year
Although Bronny James’ rookie season was rather disappointing, last season saw some improvements in his game, raising hopes that the guard can continue to develop.
One of Bronny’s main issues upon entering the league was his limited shooting ability, as evidenced by the 28% three-point shooting average he posted during his rookie season.
A guard lacking strong ball-handling skills and shooting only 28% from beyond the arc faces a difficult path in the league.
However, Bronny’s 3-point numbers improved last season; in 42 games with the Lakers, he shot just over 38% – a respectable mark for any perimeter player.
Bronny James stats in 2025-26 season
MIN 2P M/A 3P M/A FT M/A REB AS ST TO BS PTS GM 8:21 45.2%
28/62 38.1%
24/63 85.7%
6/7 0.5
0.4/0.2 1.1 0.4 0.6 0.1 2.7 50
For a player like James, who is in the NBA primarily for his defensive potential, developing a respectable 3-point shot is essential to securing a long career in the league.
If LeBron’s son begins to show improvement in his ball-handling as well, the Lakers might start to feel more confident about his future with the team.
Bronny isn’t even 22 yet, and many NBA players only find their rhythm after several years of paying their dues.
There’s no question about the young player’s work ethic, so the hope for James and the Lakers is that he’ll continue to improve in his third season with the purple-and-gold to secure a long-term future in Los Angeles.
Free from his father’s shadow
In this, his final year under a guaranteed contract with the Lakers, Bronny will have the chance, for the first time in his young career, to play free from his father’s shadow, as his father is now in Philadelphia.
Carrying such a legendary last name is a heavy burden, made even more difficult by the nightly comparisons to a father who remains one of the league’s elite performers.
Of course, LeBron’s departure from the Lakers won’t automatically turn Bronny into a superstar, but it should allow him to play with more freedom and less scrutiny.
Bronny’s playing time increased in his second season with the Lakers, but the former USC standout has not yet secured a regular spot in Coach Redick’s rotation and must continue to improve to earn a consistent role.
Credit Getty Images via AFP – Scanpix
The Lakers want to win now and can’t wait forever for improvement
One of Bronny’s problems with the Lakers is that his timeline doesn’t seem to align with that of the Los Angeles franchise.
When he entered the NBA, pretty much everyone knew that Bronny would need a few years to develop into a rotation-ready player.
But not all NBA franchises can afford the luxury of waiting two or three years for a player. The Lakers, after bringing Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, know they have limited time; they need to win immediately to keep the Slovenian superstar happy.
A player like Bronny, who still needs time to develop his game, finds himself in an awkward position.
Earning playing time in such a competitive environment is by no means easy, especially given Bronny’s current technical limitations.
The former USC standout, in fact, does not yet possess the playmaking skills necessary to log consistent minutes at point guard and is likely too undersized to be a wing in today’s NBA.
His defensive potential is intriguing, but even in that regard, LeBron’s son must still prove he can become a true defensive specialist.
With the additions of Sexton, Thybulle, and Carr to the backcourt, it won’t easy for Bronny to crack the rotation; he will need to significantly elevate his game to carve out a niche.
The improvements in his shooting seen last season will certainly help, but Bronny needs to take a substantial step forward if he wants to stay with the Lakers in the foreseeable future.
A few positive examples
Bronny can draw inspiration from other players who achieved breakthroughs at similar stages in their careers.
Fred VanVleet, for example, after going undrafted in 2016, spent his first two years with the Raptors as a reserve, seeing relatively little playing time.
By his third season, however, VanVleet had established himself as a cornerstone for Toronto and one of the league’s premier guards. His breakthrough moment came around the age of 23.
Credit AP Photo/Terrance Williams – Scanpix
Bronny could also look to the career trajectory of his teammate Austin Reaves. After going undrafted in 2021, Reaves signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and spent his first two seasons in purple and gold in a supporting role.
Reaves has since evolved into a vital starter and a pillar of the squad, serving as the team’s primary second option behind Luka Doncic.
Bronny James may not reach the heights of these two players, but their stories illustrate that not everyone makes an immediate impact in the NBA; some players need two or three seasons before they fully mature.
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