Despite the fact that Bronny James simply signed a historic four-year, $7.9 million take care of the purple and gold franchise, as he reached a rookie contract on the identical day as his father lastly agreed to an extension in Los Angeles, insider Adrian Wojnarowski believes followers ought to mood their expectations surrounding the rising star.
Sure, LeBron and his eldest son as quickly to grow to be the primary father-son duo in league historical past to play collectively subsequent season, however the fact is that the 19-year-old received’t begin out as a rotation participant for the NBA staff. In line with the ESPN reporter, James Jr. will spend most of his rookie marketing campaign within the G League.
“Properly, what the Lakers’ expectations are is he’ll largely be a G League participant like virtually any 19-year-old participant coming into the league drafted within the second spherical,” he stated on Sportscenter. “What you’ll in the end in all probability see is Bronny James within the first week of the season on the courtroom together with his father in a really – I don’t wish to name it ceremonial, however the eyes of the world will probably be on that.”
After the primary week of the season, there aren’t any expectations that Bronny will probably be within the Lakers rotation, and as an alternative will play within the G league.
Per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/ZGcJhBbeRo— Degen Sports activities Membership (@DegenSportsClub) July 3, 2024
Wojnarowski then shared that the South Bay Lakers, who’re the group’s G League affiliate, share the identical coaching facility because the NBA staff. “They’ll try this the primary week of the season, however there’s no expectation Bronny goes to be within the Lakers’ rotation,” he expressed.
After placing a stamp on his new contract, his new coach defined what he expects from the younger guard. “We view Bronny as [a] Case Examine One as a result of [of] his base degree of really feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defender, capturing, passing,” JJ Redick stated. “There’s quite a bit to love about his sport, and as we construct out our participant growth program holistically, he’s going to have a terrific alternative to grow to be a superb NBA participant.”
Additionally, it was his personal coach who was fast to push away the notion that the participant is barely on this privileged place due to his father. “Rob and I didn’t give Bronny something. Bronny has earned this,” stated the brand new Lakers tactician.
“Bronny talks about his exhausting work. Bronny has earned this by exhausting work,” Redick assured. “And for us, prioritizing participant growth, we view Bronny as like, case examine one. As a result of his base degree of really feel, athleticism, level of assault defender, capturing, passing, there’s quite a bit to love about his sport.”
Bronny advised the press that he’s capable of deal with all the additional stress that comes with being LeBron’s son and claims of him not deserving this chance
Bronny assured that the possibility to play professionally together with his father performed no function in his choice to enter this 12 months’s draft after a lone season in USC. The rising star assured that he can deal with all the additional consideration and stress he receives.
“I’m … making an attempt to get my identify out for myself,” the rookie stated this Tuesday. “I simply wish to are available and get my work in and get higher daily. I by no means actually had a considered me going to play with my dad. That’s all the time there to participate of, but it surely wasn’t a major focus of mine.”
LeBron has already damaged so many data within the league, however by no means did he consider he would create an entire new mark involving his eldest son. By no means has a father and son performed within the NBA on the identical time, as they guarantee to be able to take care of the stress of enjoying in the identical squad collectively.
“It’s for certain amplified the quantity of stress,” Bronny shared. “I’ve already seen it in (social) media and on the web and stuff speaking about (how) I won’t deserve a chance. However I’ve been coping with stuff like this for my entire life. It’s nothing completely different. It’s extra amplified for certain, however I can get by it.”