Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with a string of injuries, creating an opportunity for Bronny James to earn valuable minutes and showcase his potential. The young guard made the most of his chances, recording a NBA career-high performance that earned praise from head coach JJ Redick, who shared his thoughts on James’ development and long-term projection.
According to Redick, the most significant improvement in James’ game has been his playmaking ability, which has unlocked new dimensions in his development.
“The biggest area of improvement is probably just his playmaking, and I don’t mean that just in terms of passing,” Redick said, via Lakers Nation. “But just his ability to play on and off the ball as a decision-maker, either as a scorer or a passer. And with that, his confidence level and level of aggression have grown. For a young player, those are two really important things.”
So far this season, Bronny has played in 22 games, averaging 2.3 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting 35.4% from the field. He has appeared in 22 of the team’s 69 games, logging an average of 5.8 minutes per contest.
Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on February 22, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
Bronny’s standout performances in the G League
While his minutes with the Lakers have been limited, James has thrived with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Through nine games, he has averaged 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, shooting 43.1% from the field. Redick believes this experience has been critical to his development.
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“I think he’s embraced the G League,” Redick said. “Zach (Guthrie) has done a wonderful job with his development, that staff has done a wonderful job with his development, and our crew as well, having communication with them and getting updates. When he’s been with us, I think he’s been fantastic. In practices and lately in games, I think he’s been really solid.”
The weight of expectations on Bronny James
Being the son of LeBron James—the greatest player of all time in the eyes of many—comes with immense pressure. From the moment he stepped onto an NBA court, Bronny has faced expectations unlike any other young player. While he may not be a future superstar like his father, he is determined to prove he belongs and will have plenty of opportunities to do so.
The Lakers have full confidence in Bronny’s potential, and Redick believes he can develop into an above-average shooter at the NBA level. To reach that level, James will need to continue refining his decision-making skills and prove he can create winning plays.
Although he may not be the most physically dominant or explosive young guard, Bronny possesses an elite work ethic and a strong support system that should help him maximize his potential. What he may lack as a pure scorer, he can make up for with high-IQ plays, defensive effort, and hustle—attributes that will be key to carving out a long-term role in the league.
