The Los Angeles Lakers should have Jaden Hardy over Bronny James in the pecking order to start training camp. The two young guards are buried behind Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton for ball-handling duties. Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia, and Cameron Carr are all competing for wing minutes. It won’t be easy for either player to get on the floor, but Hardy is a proven shooter who is further along in his development than Bronny.
Fans saw LeBron’s son take a massive step forward in his second NBA season. He shot 38.6 percent from 3-point range over 57 attempts and showed enough for the Lakers to keep him around after his father’s departure. The 21-year-old has to continue his improvement.
The Lakers have their sights set on contending. They revamped their roster around Luka Doncic and are eager to build a winner around their superstar. Luka doesn’t want to wait. He led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and is eager to win his first championship. Los Angeles has to put the team on the floor that maximizes their chances of winning right now, which puts Hardy ahead of Bronny in the rotation.
Jaden Hardy's shooting and experience create early edge over Bronny James
Hardy played next to Luka in Dallas. He appeared in 73 regular-season games in 2024 and was in the playoff rotation for the conference finals and NBA Finals. The Mavericks needed his floor spacing, and the Lakers will have the same desire.
Fans saw Hardy play the best basketball of his career with the Washington Wizards to close out last season. He averaged 12.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 20.4 minutes per game. The 6’3 guard shot 42.0 percent from 3-point range over the 23 contests. Hardy is a score-first option that struggles on defense, but he is not afraid to fire away when open.
Bronny shot well from long range last season, but averaged just 5.5 3-point attempts per 36 minutes. Hardy took 10.5. Volume matters. Lakers fans have seen Bronny be hesitant to shoot even when he’s wide open. Hardy won’t have those issues. Luka and AR will draw the defense. They need someone to convert those open looks.
Both young guards struggle on defense and don’t offer much in terms of passing or playmaking. James may be slightly better in those areas, but he won’t be playing on the ball or being asked to play lockdown defense. The Lakers have other players for that. This role is a floor spacer that participates in the defensive scheme. Hardy is a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter who keeps improving. He deserves the early edge.
James and Hardy have plenty to prove. The Lakers have a team option on each for the 2027-28 season. Hardy is looking to find a long-term home and has experience playing off Luka. Bronny is trying to carve his path without his famous father’s shadow looming over him. Both should be motivated come training camp and will be looking to showcase their offseason growth early.
The Los Angeles Lakers should have Jaden Hardy over Bronny James in the race for minutes to start training camp. The 6’3 guard is bigger, more experienced, and a better shooter. The Lakers want to win immediately, so that gives Hardy the early edge.
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