Much has been made about Bronny James this season. The Los Angeles Lakers rookie is a polarizing figure, one that some, including ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, contend might not deserve his spot on head coach JJ Redick's roster.
Taking Bronny's recent performance against Denver into consideration, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talked about where he feels LeBron James' son stands at this point in the season.
"It's great that JJ had the level of trust to throw him into a big game the other night at Denver, which is a tough place to play, and he got in the game, made a couple defensive plays, made a corner 3, and I think that's what he prides himself in is the 3-and-D type of archetype," Pelinka said. "And for him to be doing it in moments in NBA games, that's great that he's even grasped that already."
Bronny's played in 21 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 4.7 minutes, 1.6 points, and 0.5 rebounds per. He's flip-flopped with Los Angeles' G League team, the South Bay Lakers, with whom he's getting extra reps against minor-league competition.
"They see an improved, young player deep on their bench, which is where he should be at this point in his career," The Athletic's Joe Vardon wrote Thursday. "Any outside suggestion or expectation that Bronny, who missed half of his lone college season recovering from cardiac arrest suffered during a summer practice caused by a congenital heart defect, would do more for the Lakers than what he's done this season was off base."
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM.