Bronny James has just completed his second NBA season, both with the Los Angeles Lakers and alongside his dad, LeBron James. There’s a chance that the two could part ways for the first time in the NBA, with LeBron as a free agent and Bronny under contract in L.A. next season.
The 21-year-old guard definitely had strides to make when he was first drafted 55th overall in 2024. But the tools were there, and his improvement in two seasons has been staggering. LeBron has heard all the noise surrounding nepotism and his son not earning his roster spot and doesn’t accept any of it, via Sean Gregory of Time Magazine:
James hears the nepotism claims. “The kid has earned his right to be a professional athlete,” he says. “The thing you’re not going to do is throw stones at us as a family. I’m not letting that sh-t slide, because I know what I’ve created because of what I didn’t have. So if you want to talk about the kid, that he shouldn’t be an NBA player, I don’t care about that. As long as you don’t get to the fatherhood piece. I don’t play those games.”
There is no denying — at this point — that Bronny deserves to be in the NBA. There is a legitimate case to make that he’s ready to be a nightly rotation player for the Lakers next season, and that’s not something that can often be said of players taken in the mid-to-late 50s of the NBA Draft.
When his career first began, the young guard was too hesitant on offense and let his size get the best of him on defense even though he was fundamentally sound. Through time in the G League and with the Lakers, he has transformed into a confident player on both ends that can get stops when asked of him and can be a secondary creator on the other end.
Him and his father may not be on the same team next year — still up to LeBron what his future looks like — but he appears ready to continue his growth.
LeBron James outlines retirement thoughts
LeBron spoke about when he will retire from the NBA, saying that it’s entirely up to his mental state and how much he still wants to push his body to continue the work. For now, it seems he is motivated enough to return for Year 24, but nothing is set in stone.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
