The response to the Los Angeles Lakers selecting Bronny James in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft has been fractured. While some have been optimistic about exploring James' upside as a potential 3-and-D guard, others have thunderously declared that there's no place for nepotism.
Regardless of which side of the proverbial aisle you find yourself on, what can't be disputed is the data that provides context to the selection.
James has said all of the right things since being drafted, even expressing a willingness to play in the G League. The flashes of brilliance in Summer League have come with expected inconsistency, however, thus stoking the flames for each competing party in this enduring debate.
In a study conducted by Jay Hutchison of Basketball-Reference, the data suggested that second-generation players are actually undervalued as NBA players (h/t Whistle Sports, Tom Habertsroh of Yahoo Sports).
Bronny isn't the first “Nepo” baby in the NBA. And they make up 30% of the league @donaldcoletta pic.twitter.com/dI19wVHboI
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) July 11, 2024
This does nothing to guarantee James' success, but it's an intriguing breakdown that should generate some degree of optimism.
Bronny James is the latest in a long line of second-generation players
James was a four-star recruit entering college, with that rating remaining consistent across 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. He was heralded for his defensive potential due to his athleticism, length, and intensity on that end of the floor.
James' freshman season with the USC Trojans was drastically impacted when he went into cardiac arrest, however, making his quality of play far more challenging to properly decipher.
James has thus far struggled to generate any semblance of consistency in Summer League play, shooting 3-of-14 from the field and 0-of-8 from beyond the arc in the Las Vegas opener. His defense has been strong, however, and his athletic gifts have created highlight material.
Still just 19 years of age, James remains early in the developmental stages of his career and will likely continue to shoot poorly as he adjusts to the pace of the NBA game.
It's also worth noting that James was selected with one of the final four picks of the 2024 NBA Draft. It's not exactly a range that consistently produces high-level professional players, albeit with exceptions that are easy to name—due in no small part to how few there are.
Los Angeles may have been placating LeBron James by selecting his son, but that doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't an actual basketball reason, as well.
The Lakers need perimeter defenders who can help the team improve from ranking No. 25 in opponent three-point field goal percentage. James, who boasts a 6'7.25" wingspan and plays with steady intensity on defense, could help address that season-altering flaw.
The Lakers have taken a chance on a second-generation player with a pick near the end of the 2024 NBA Draft. The data shows it's a risk worth taking.