Executives consider Lakers’ ‘worst case scenario’ for Bronny James

20-year-old rookie point guard Bronny James is an incredibly raw project for the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will still face intense scrutiny. That’s because the 6-foot-2 former USC Trojan, selected with the No. 55 pick in last June’s 2024 NBA Draft, is the son of 20-time All-NBA Lakers forward LeBron James. And he’s also playing for the league’s top franchise, one of the most-watched clubs in the NBA.

Bronny James has struggled to score in the Lakers’ first two preseason matchups, averaging just 1.0 points while shooting 14.3% from the field, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and .5 dimes. in 14.7 minutes per game.

According to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, several rival executives are concerned that Bronny is in absolutely the wrong environment to maximize his NBA upside.

“The worst possible situation for him to develop into,” one Western Conference executive said of Los Angeles.

Bronny James is expected to spend most of his time honing his craft with El Segundo’s Los Angeles G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

“If I were on the Lakers staff, I would do anything to not be in charge of developing Bronny, because he’s not going to make tangible progress that’s going to show up in good stats or anything like that,” an Eastern Conference executive told Holmes. “Even if you do a good job to improve him, his performance would be a disappointment to the fans. I think it will be more of a challenge for the team that drafts him than for him.”

Bronny James has been a huge attraction since the Lakers’ Summer League season, when he inspired sellout crowds in Las Vegas. He may never become a great shooter at the NBA level, but he could have the athletic tools to at least become a savvy defender — eventually. But will he have time to wait that long?

“He will have more assets for a late second-round pick (than anyone) in NBA history because of LeBron,” noted a West Office executive. “He will have the best coach, the best nutritionists, the best player development people, the best everyone. Second rounders are often treated like a dime a dozen. He will have every opportunity. The question is: what does he do with it?”

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