
NBA fans were quick to point and laugh at the Los Angeles Lakers when they drafted Bronny James. They were even more shocked when he signed a fully-guaranteed contract worth almost $8 million.
It was an unusual move. There is reason to be skeptical.
However, the eldest son of LeBron James is silencing the haters during his first season in the G-League. Not only is he putting up numbers, he threw down a vicious poster dunk on Friday night that immediately enters the running for ‘Dunk of the Year.’
Bronny turned 20 years old in October. He is supposed to be a sophomore in college. Instead, the Lakers added him to their roster to play for the organization on both the NBA and minor league levels. His agreement allows him to play games for Los Angeles and for South Bay.
As a member of the NBA Lakers, Bronny is averaging less than 0.5 points, rebounds and assists per game. As a member of the G-League Lakers, Bronny is averaging 23 points, six rebounds, five assists and two assists per game. He makes 3.7 three-pointers per game on 45.8% from beyond the arc.
Imagine if Bronny James was averaging 23, 6 and 5 on the collegiate level? Last name aside, he would be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick!
Instead, the most famous player in the G-League is averaging 23, 6 and 5 against professionals. His 31-point performance against the Remix on Friday night was a career-high.
31 PTS 💥 3 AST 💥 5 3PM
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 25, 2025
Bronny James went off for a CAREER-HIGH in scoring and in threes in the @southbaylakers win over the Remix! This was his second 30 point game of the season. pic.twitter.com/AyW4t4uPcD
Bronny James also threw down a dunk so vicious that it made the earth shake back in Akron.
BRONNY JAMES WITH THE BODY‼️‼️‼️
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 25, 2025
THE @SouthBayLakers ROOKIE JUST PUT THE ENTIRE ARENA IN A FRENZY ON @tubi. pic.twitter.com/aP6y0k1V4s
Goodness gracious. That’s a grown man dunk right there!
There was (and still is) plenty of reason to question why the Los Angeles Lakers would pay Bronny James as much money as they are to play in the G-League. But if you really step back and think about it for a moment, the decision goes far beyond the present day. If he can continue to develop with South Bay, he could be one of the best players in the NBA even sooner than you think.