During the last handful of months, there was a rising hope that Bronny James can finally grow to be a legit rotation participant within the NBA. He put up sturdy numbers throughout this previous G League common season, and he performed very strong basketball through the Las Vegas summer time league this month.
There’s a persevering with debate about what kind of participant James can be if and when he makes it within the NBA. He has been projected as an undersized taking pictures guard or perhaps a 3-and-D participant, and plenty of really feel his protection is his sturdy swimsuit. However the 6-foot-3 20-year-old has additionally proven the power to assault in transition and create for himself off the dribble.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick got here up with two potential gamers whom James might probably emulate shifting ahead, based on an ESPN article.
“Redick factors to the 6-2, 205-pound Davion Mitchell of the Miami Warmth or his pal and former teammate, the 6-1, 190-pound T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers, as examples of the kind of recreation changer James can grow to be,” wrote Dave McMenamin.
Mitchell has grow to be not only a sturdy defender but in addition a potent 3-point shooter during the last couple of years. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he averaged 7.9 factors and 4.9 assists a recreation and made 39.8% of his 3-point makes an attempt.
Many basketball followers are doubtless accustomed to McConnell after the Pacers’ run to Recreation 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. He has been a spark plug off the bench, and there have been occasions within the championship sequence the place he was arguably extra impactful than Tyrese Haliburton.
McConnell has usually been a very good 3-point shooter, though he struggled in that division through the 2024-25 common season. His potential to assault off the dribble and penetrate helped Indiana keep an up-tempo tempo all through the season till it gave out within the last recreation of the finals towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Some are predicting that James will crack the Lakers’ rotation this coming season. That may be welcome information, particularly given the Lakers’ lack of serviceable backcourt depth.
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