In 2024, Bronny James arrived as a developmental project for the Los Angeles Lakers as the 55th pick in the NBA Draft. What was initially a favor to LeBron James has turned into a move that could yield real value down the line. The Lakers' efforts to bolster the depth of the roster should give Bronny even more time to shed the nepotism label that his critics refuse to absolve him of.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will naturally be penciled in as starters for Los Angeles in 2026-27. Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton can counted upon for reliable backcourt minutes, too. Even in the case of injury, a guy like Jaden Hardy can step up to soak up playing time.
Some could view this as a negative assessment of where James' development is at. However, the Lakers moved past his contract guarantee date without batting an eye, and have subsequently made no known effort to trade him either following LeBron's departure.
James is a cheap $2.3 million on the Lakers' cap books for 2026-27. The franchise has a team option to continue the developmental project in 2027-28 at around $2.5 million. They have no reason to rush Bronny into the rotation, and that should afford him every opportunity to keep improving at his own pace to the point of pushing for real minutes, eventually.
Bronny James is under no pressure to rush his Lakers development
In 2025-26, James found himself in the rotation down the stretch of the regular season and even in the playoffs after Doncic and Reaves were both lost to injuries. That experience came with encouraging moments.
Bronny is more than capable of being an energy guy off the bench right now, if the Lakers are calling for it. Even so, there are still desirables in which James needs to showcase development.
Decision-making may be the biggest area of growth that JJ Redick is waiting on. The Lakers coach has a known preference for players who can dribble, pass, shoot, and make quick reads. Bronny needs to keep improving that last part.
Granted, a tighter handle would be nice, too.
The Lakers may eventually come to the decision that Bronny is best utilized as an off-ball guard, but their current developmental plan has involved putting the rock in his hands a ton. If their goal is have him functioning regularly in that role, James still has work to do on keeping control of the ball.
Thankfully for him, there will be no real pressure this season for Bronny to showcase that work in the rotation. If James does break into it, that will be a nice surprise, not the expectation. There can be real patience from both sides here on getting this developmental journey done right.
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