Bronny James has been the most talked-about player from the 2024 NBA Draft Class. From his controversial decision to leave USC to being selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, much has been made about whether or not Bronny is ready to compete on the biggest stages (and whether his being drafted is nepotism).

After a year at USC in which he averaged just 4.8 ppg and on the back of a near-death experience, debates have been ongoing about his chances of success or failure.

However, what many are failing to acknowledge is that Bronny is, in fact, talented. He may not be as explosive as his superstar father, LeBron James, and may never attain the heights of being considered one of the greatest players of all time, but Bronny does have the makings of an All-Star caliber player should things pan out well for him.

Is Bronny going to hit the ground running in his rookie year like his father did 22 years ago? Very unlikely! But Bronny, if developed well, could cement himself among some of the most elite role players to ever play the game.

Bronny’s Defense Will Be His Ultimate Selling Point

The best part of Bronny’s game is undoubtedly his defense. While much of the discussion around Bronny has been about his unimpressive offensive showing, he has shown his biggest strength is on the other end of the court.

He already gave us a glimpse of his ability to read offensive plays during his time with the Trojans, and he continued along that trajectory during the Summer League. Bronny averaged 1.0 steal and 0.8 blocks in six games for the Lakers, and he has been excellent at anticipating plays and positioning himself well to make the right stops.

Bronny James Looks Like a Good Fit for the Lakers

While many NBA prospects in the past have compared themselves to their fathers or other batsmen in the league, Bronny James has repeatedly stated that his game mirrors players like Jrue Holiday, Davion Mitchell, and Derrick White. And if we’re keeping it real, the Lakers have lacked good role players since winning the Championship in 2020.

This is not to say that Bronny will automatically become the reliable role player the Lakers need for next season, but he can provide a glimpse of what’s to come.

In addition to solid role-playing, the Lakers have lacked shooters for most of the LeBron era. They were ranked 28th in 3-point attempts and 24th in three points made last season. This is expected to change, however, with JJ Redick now at the helm. The former NBA player was a three-point specialist during his heyday with the LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

In theory, Bronny James could add to the Lakers’ shooting in his first year, much like his draft companion, 17th overall pick Dalton Knecht. Yes, it’s true Bronny didn’t shoot the ball well during his brief stint at USC. He also failed to impress during the just-concluded Summer League, making his first three-point shot after 17 straight misses. But we mustn’t forget that he was heralded as one of the best three-point shooters in his draft class before suffering a cardiac arrest a year ago.

The kid’s got potential, no doubt, and if developed enough this season, he could play the catch-and-shoot role the Lakers have desperately craved. Having JJ Redick as head coach will definitely help his cause.

Bronny Won’t be Asked to Do Much

With certified bucket-getters like LeBron and Anthony Davis on the roster, Bronny won’t have to carry the weight of the Lakers’ scoring next season. He will rather be asked to play a more secondary role that involves reading plays, shooting open 3s, and attacking the basket in transition when necessary. The Lakers are already a good transition team, finishing third in points scored from transition last season. The basketball world will certainly hope to see lots of LeBron and Bronny fast break highlights next season.

Bronny, much like his father, is also a pass-first player, and if he can develop good vision, he could play the facilitator role effectively, especially when the top dogs are called to the bench to rest. JJ Redick’s new-look offense will be high on split cuts and passing, and Bronny should have no issues adapting to this style of play.

The Lakers 2024-25 Season in View

Despite falling at the hands of Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets for the second straight year, there has been no significant adjustment in the offseason so far, with the only major overhaul being the appointment of JJ Redick as head coach.

Much of the talk about the Lakers has been centered around the historic father-son duo of LeBron and Bronny, and the latter’s prospects of making his mark in the NBA. Despite being selected in the second round, Bronny will be joining a Lakers organization seeking to compete for nothing but the championship.

Sportsbooks currently have the Lakers at +3400 to win the championship next season. For the latest updates on the Lakers and their odds of winning the NBA championship, visit TrustnBet.com, a reliable source for finding reputable operators. On TrustnBet.com, sports bettors in America can find free tips, guidelines, and sports betting education to enhance their betting experience.

The Lakers have themselves a potential solid role player in Bronny should they see to his development and keep him in the rotation. With the offseason still in full swing, we could see a few more trades from the front office as they hope to build a championship squad ahead of the upcoming season.