The Los Angeles Lakers made their move on Bronny James before they knew where his father stood. On June 29, Los Angeles let a deadline pass without waiving Bronny, locking his $2.3 million salary for 2026-27.
One day later, LeBron James told the organization he wouldn’t return for a ninth season in L.A., with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers both believed to be in the mix for his services this summer.
The timing raised eyebrows around the league and also forced a real question about Bronny’s spot on the roster without his father. Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey asked that question after looking at the data, and he was absolutely blunt in his answer.
He wrote, “Has Bronny James Proved He’s an NBA Player?—right now, is no. He hasn’t yet. In fact, the numbers suggest he probably won’t be.
He added, “But he’s only 21. Plenty of eventual rotation players hadn’t proved themselves at that age. If the Lakers can harness his athleticism and the skills he’s shown in the G-League, he still has a chance to stick.”
Through two seasons and 69 NBA games, Bronny is averaging 2.7 points and 1.1 assists while shooting 34.8 percent from deep. Furthermore, his minus-5.2 box plus/minus (BPM) places him among a very small group of players aged 21 and under with that much playing time and that little production.
Bronny is not facing these questions for the first time. There has always been skepticism around his caliber as LeBron James’ son in the league. Jaylen Brown was famously caught on a hot mic at Summer League saying he didn’t think Bronny was a pro, and the 21-year-old has struggled to answer his critics with on-court production.
But his G League stats tell a different story. Averaging 15.6 points and 3.6 assists reveals a level of volume he has not yet replicated in his limited NBA floor time. His 40.5-inch vertical and 6-foot-7.25-inch wingspan are raw physical attributes that scouts still value.
Plus, the Lakers’ decision to guarantee his contract proves the front office still believes in him. He has plenty of time to grow. But until his actual NBA play catches up to his physical potential, Bailey’s verdict is going to stick: he is just not an NBA player yet.