The Good and the Ugly: How Marcus Smart Impacts Bronny James

Bronny James was one of the more scrutinized rookies last season. As the son of one of the greatest players in league history, LeBron James, Bronny was under pressure to prove he earned the right to be drafted. The Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick, and he averaged less than seven minutes per game in 27 games. Now, with the Lakers signing Marcus Smart, Bronny can either benefit or completely lose his confidence going into next season.

The Good and the Ugly: How Marcus Smart Impacts Bronny James

Bronny was one of the best sophomore players at this year’s summer league. He averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds over a three-game stretch. One of the most significant differences was his increased confidence. He looked more comfortable running the Lakers’ offense and shooting threes. The cards were already stacked against Bronny going into next season. With the Lakers having plenty of ball handlers and guards, he was the fifth or sixth guard. There was little chance for him to get some minutes. After the Lakers signed Marcus Smart, Bronny will have an even harder time earning playing time. Yet, there is good news for Bronny as well.

The Good News For Bronny

Smart is maybe the best mentor Bronny could get. He might be able to help him develop more than his father could. Smart also entered the league as an undersized guard. At 6’3”, he was not the prototypical guard. Yet, he developed into one of the best perimeter defenders, making three All-Defensive teams and winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. Bronny knows that the way he can earn minutes for the Lakers is by playing defense.

At 6’2”, James Jr. is also a small guard. But if there is one player who can help him understand the ins and outs of being a good defender at his size, that is Smart. Dyson Daniels, who won Most Improved Player of the Year last season, talked about how he studied Smart and the way he plays defense. Bronny doesn’t have to study him; he can learn firsthand.

The Bad News For Bronny

Bronny was already feeling the pressure of finding quality minutes for the Lakers. Looking at the Lakers’ roster before the Smart signing, Bronny might have had to compete with Gabe Vincent for playing time. Now, the competition has gotten stiffer. And both Vincent and Smart will be playing to prove themselves and earn a better contract next summer.

Bronny doesn’t have that problem; he got a four-year contract with the Lakers as a rookie. But, he would probably love to play more than the 6.7 minutes per game he averaged last season. Smart has been mostly hurt the past two seasons, appearing in only 54 games combined. But even if he plays 20 minutes per game, those are 20 fewer for Bronny and other guards on the Lakers roster.

Smart will probably come off the bench for the Lakers. He and Jake LaRavia will probably serve as the key contributors off the bench. With Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic getting the most minutes at point guard, it leaves little time for players like Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, and Shake Milton. Right now, it seems like Bronny will spend his sophomore season playing in the G League.