When the Los Angeles Lakers used the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to select Bronny James, the move was instantly met with skepticism.
Critics questioned whether the eldest son of LeBron James was ready for the pros after limited minutes at USC and a cardiac arrest that sidelined him ahead of his college debut.
Bronny James: From Nepo baby to playoff ready
But over the course of his rookie year, James gradually silenced some of the doubters.
While he didn’t see heavy minutes with the Lakers, the 20-year-old guard showed steady progress and flashed real potential, particularly in the G League.
That development has now earned him a spot on the Lakers’ 15-man playoff roster, a significant milestone in his young career.
In an interview with Spectrum SportsNet after the final regular season game, James offered a candid reflection on his first year in the NBA.
“I thought I got better. I thought I grew as a player and a person,” he said.
“More work to be done. I feel like my progression has been slow, but getting better every day.”
Though James only appeared in 27 games for the Lakers, including one start, he made the most of his time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.
In 11 games, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc.
His production hinted at what he could eventually bring to the Lakers’ rotation.
Head coach JJ Redick didn’t hesitate when evaluating Bronny’s season.
“I give him an A+. How he has personally handled a lot of attention, good and bad, he doesn’t ever break character,” Redick said.
“He’s the same guy every day and he doesn’t allow the good attention to get to him. He doesn’t allow the bad attention to get to him and he just continues to work.”
Now heading into the postseason as the No. 3 seed in the West, the Lakers are set to face the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
While Bronny isn’t expected to play major minutes in the playoffs, his inclusion on the roster speaks volumes about how far he’s come, and where he might be headed next.
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