Bronny James has attracted considerable attention once again during the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, demonstrating noticeable growth in his offensive game. Following a solid rookie year in the G League and being selected 55th in the 2024 NBA Draft, James displayed improved skills that caught the eye of fans and analysts over the weekend.
Across three Summer League games in Las Vegas, James averaged 13 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting, along with 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds. This represents a clear leap from his rookie Summer League, in which he scored 8.8 points per game on just 35 percent shooting.
Development in Ball Handling and Offensive Creation
A key area where James has advanced is his ball-handling ability, showing much more confidence and control than in college and high school. His performance against the Los Angeles Clippers stood out, where he scored 17 points on only 10 shot attempts and contributed five assists, displaying enhanced dribbling and shot creation.
While James is not expected to be a primary shot creator like a star guard, his capability to manage the offense at Summer League level is promising. His skill in maintaining ball control under pressure has enabled him to finish at the basket, generate shots off the dribble, and facilitate easy scoring opportunities for teammates.
bronny james created shots impressively against the clippers, showcasing his improved ball control and creativity as a dribbler
— ben pfeifer, NBA Analyst
James’s shooting outside the arc also supports his potential as a versatile off-guard. Although he has made only 31.3 percent of his three-point attempts in Vegas, his on-ball responsibilities may be limiting his shooting rhythm. By comparison, during 11 regular-season G League games last year, he converted 38 percent of his more frequent attempts from deep.
Implications of James’ Summer League Performance for the Lakers
The role James took on in Summer League reflects more of his usage in the G League rather than the role he might have with the Lakers in the NBA. Last season with the South Bay Lakers, he posted a 26.5 percent usage rate while maintaining solid offensive efficiency, with a true shooting percentage near 58.8. When paired with a playmaker like Luka Doncic, James is expected to benefit from more assisted scoring chances, although just under 40 percent of his made shots last year were assisted.
While detailed Summer League usage stats are not available, it appears James has continued to carry a similar on-ball responsibility from his G League experience. However, at times he has struggled to impose his influence on the game, such as in the matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, where he often waited for offense to come to him instead of initiating it. Even with his improvement, James remains a developing creator rather than a natural one.
Besides his offensive strides, James’s tenacity on defense remains apparent. Although he has not matched the pace of his G League steals average of 1.9 per game, this could result from his increased offensive duties. Balancing scoring with playmaking and defense, James ranks fourth on the Lakers in field goal attempts during Summer League, behind Dalton Knecht, Cole Swider, and DJ Steward.
Despite taking fewer shots than those teammates, James’s offensive impact has arguably surpassed them, suggesting growing confidence and effectiveness in his role.
Looking Ahead: James’ Prospects for NBA Minutes and Team Integration
At 20 years old and still developing, James may not be ready for significant NBA playing time in the 2025-26 season, which aligns with expectations for a late second-round pick advancing from the G League. His progress in his sophomore Summer League campaign will serve as a foundation for attempting to secure a position within the Lakers’ rotation. Should he continue to show this trajectory of growth, his role with the team could expand gradually as he gains experience and confidence at higher levels of competition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bronny James score 30 points?
A. On Friday night, Bronny James achieved a personal record by scoring 31 points, helping the South Bay Lakers beat the Rip City Remix 122-110. He made 10 out of 22 shots, including sinking 5 of his 11 three-point attempts, and contributed three assists, two rebounds, and two steals during South Bay’s second win of the season.