When Bronny James was going through the pre-draft process, a persistent narrative followed him everywhere he went. In the aftermath of a brutal freshman season that was directly influenced by a life-threatening medical scare, the Los Angeles Lakers guard was labeled as unworthy of an opportunity to compete for an NBA roster spot.
[If the 2025 Summer League](https://lakeshowlife.com/cold-hard-truth-lakers-fans-must-accept-in-trade-talks) has proven anything, it's that James is not only good enough to compete with NBA hopefuls, but better than a vast majority of his peers on that level.
James struggled in his Las Vegas Summer League opener, posting eight points, two rebounds, and two assists on 2-of-8 shooting. It was a tough day at the office, but that memory has quickly been erased by two impressive showings in the days that followed.
That started when James posted 14 points, three assists, and two steals on 5-of-11 shooting as the Lakers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 94-81.
James took his game to another level the next time out, posting 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three offensive boards on 6-of-10 shooting. He shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in a game during which he was one of the few reliable sources of offense for the Lakers.
Compounded by the explosive performances he put forth in the G League during the 2024-25 season, it's clear that James belongs in the running for an NBA roster spot.
Bronny James proving he's a legitimate NBA hopeful—no matter his last name
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James was a four-star recruit coming out of high school who scored 15 points in the McDonald's All-American Game and tallied 11 at the Nike Hoop Summit. Talent was never a question when debating whether or not he could make it to the NBA.
The real question marks facing James were a combination of health and size, as both stood to prevent him from realizing his potential.
James collapsed and went into cardiac arrest roughly three months before the USC Trojans were set to begin the 2023-24 college basketball season. He returned to the court within five months of losing his life, but sympathy seemed tough to come by in a cruel sports-fan environment.
James struggled mightily as a freshman, and while some question if he played at a high enough level to justify being drafted, he was always going to have to fight for minutes as a late second-round pick.
That translated to the 2024-25 season, when James appeared in 27 NBA games and averaged just 6.7 minutes. He showed signs of promise in the G League, however, averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made between the Tip-Off Tournament and the regular season.
James took his game to another level during the G League regular season, averaging 21.9 points, 5.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 3.2 three-point field goals made on .440/.380/.815 shooting.
That's carried over into Summer League, where James is playing with confidence and poise. His handle has seemingly improved tenfold, thus enabling him to create off the bounce and knock down difficult jump shots while simultaneously [proving that defense is his top priority](https://lakeshowlife.com/bronny-james-incredible-self-awareness-is-massive-gift-for-lakers).
It's far too soon to know if James can excel at the highest level, but he's proving to be worthy of a shot at NBA minutes—no matter how badly his critics want to argue otherwise.