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Bronny James just emphatically gave Lakers fans biggest reason to believe yet

Bronny's shaping up to be an excellent fit with this team.
ByWill Eudy|
Oct 5, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) smiles at a teammate during warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) smiles at a teammate during warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images

On Sunday night, in the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason contest against the Golden State Warriors, Bronny James threw down a put-back dunk in the fourth quarter that should have this fanbase excited about his potential fit with the team in the long-term.

With just over four minutes to go in the game, Dalton Knecht put up a three-point attempt that clanged off the iron, and Bronny came soaring in to put it back in with a one-handed slam. The play of course went viral on social media, and it reminded Lakers fans that there's still very much a possibility James can be a real contributor on this squad.

The main reason that remains the case was exhibited on this very play: athleticism. Bronny is still a work in progress when it comes to refining his game to truly shine at the professional level, but the blueprint for success is there. And at the end of the day, what he brings to the table may very well be exactly what the Lakers need.

Bronny's athleticism is a welcome skill in LA's locker room

The fact that Bronny brings elements of both youth and athleticism should have the Lakers feeling optimistic about what he can contribute from a big-picture perspective. As of right now, LA's roster is relatively skewed toward veterans, and that's especially true when you consider that they still employ the oldest player in the association.

LeBron James will turn 41 years old before the end of the calendar year. That fact should serve to remind us of their need for having younger and more athletic talents on the roster, and Bronny is exactly that. Bounce, quickness and endurance are very important qualities to place around a veteran core.

Of course, this type of play Bronny made is a flash. It's not a guarantee that he's a can't-miss difference-maker for this team, but it does show us that he has the physical gifts and the mental acuity to make such spur-of-the-moment plays. Those type of intangibles matter, especially on a roster hungry for younger guys that can jump out of the gym.

It was just one play in a preseason game, but I think Bronny just reminded Lakers fans that he can absolutely have a place on this team in the future. His strengths are what's needed in Los Angeles right now, and we could end up seeing him pull off dunks like this at Crypto.com Arena for years to come.

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