It wasn’t surprising when the Los Angeles Lakers picked Bronny James in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, especially given the buzz surrounding the possibility of him playing alongside his father, LeBron James.

Initially, Bronny isn’t projected to be a significant contributor, rather, his rookie year will primarily focus on his growth as a player.

While he may get some minutes on the main roster, most of his development is expected to happen with the South Bay Lakers, the G-League affiliate of the Lakers, where he’ll likely see more playing time.

After the draft, there was excitement about the moment when Bronny would finally play on the same court as his father. That historic occasion took place during the Lakers’ preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, marking the first time a father-son duo has played together in an NBA game.

“It felt surreal, like something out of ‘The Matrix’,” said LeBron James after sharing the court with his son. “It was almost unbelievable.”

During the preseason, Bronny showcased extended playing time, connecting with other Lakers starters like Anthony Davis in a thrilling 128-122 overtime victory over the Suns on October 17.

In the team’s last preseason game, Bronny made his only start and delivered an impressive performance, scoring 17 points and securing four rebounds in 35 minutes during a tough 132-74 defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

Bronny James: Strengths as a Lakers Rookie

Bronny exhibits potential as a strong defensive player at the NBA level. He recorded three blocks in his preseason debut against the Timberwolves and grabbed three steals against the Warriors as the exhibition games concluded.

His defensive skills and smart decision-making are assets that could bolster his career in the league.

“He’s an athletic defender with high basketball IQ who gives great effort, and with time, I believe this pick will prove to be more than just a gesture to please ‘The King’,” commented CBS writer Kyle Boone.

Prior to the preseason games, scouts shared their evaluations of Bronny during the NBA scouting combine in May.

“I don’t think he’s fully prepared yet, but he shows promise,” said ESPN’s Mark Spears, quoting scout observations on “NBA Today.” “He will need to excel defensively. His vision is impressive, and he makes good passes while selecting solid shots.”

Bronny James: Areas for Improvement

One challenge for Bronny as he enters his first NBA season is his lack of experience. After playing only one season at USC, he faced a significant health scare when he went into cardiac arrest in late July 2023.

“When a young player misses four months, especially at the start of the season, it’s tough to dive back into competition in December,” said former USC coach Andy Enfield in May. “He’s at a disadvantage regarding conditioning, timing, and the offensive and defensive systems he needs to acclimate to. It poses a challenge for any freshman, but I admire his determination. He came every day with focus, worked incredibly hard, and has shown great teamwork.”

During his time at USC, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds over 25 games. In high school, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals as a senior at Sierra Canyon.

“He should fit the point guard role based on his height, but he struggles to run an offense,” another scout shared through Spears. “Due to his size, he faces limitations as a shooting guard as shooting is not his strength. He relies on screens for space, and most of his shots come from floaters in the paint, predominantly using his left side.”

Currently, Bronny stands 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 210 pounds, and celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this month.

Bronny James: Preseason Statistics

• Games Played: 6
• Average Points per Game: 4.2
• Average Minutes per Game: 16.2
• Field Goal Percentage: 29.7%
• Three-Point Percentage: 8.3% (1-for-12)