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Bronny James' development trending upward ahead of sophomore season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James. Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Bronny James' development trending upward ahead of sophomore season

By Matt Evans  |  Last updated Jul 29, 2025 8:22 AM ET

Bronny James is beginning to silence critics and reshape the narrative around his NBA future. 

Following a rocky rookie campaign with limited NBA minutes, the 20-year-old guard delivered a promising stretch in the G League and built on that momentum with a strong showing at the 2025 Summer League, evidence that he’s trending toward a legitimate rotational role in the future.

James found his rhythm in the second half of his rookie season, with a noticeable boost in confidence from game to game. During the G League Tip-Off Tournament, he averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals across seven games, though he struggled with efficiency and averaged 3.1 turnovers per game.

Once the regular season began, however, the switch flipped. James’ numbers surged to 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game. 

He shot an impressive 38 percent from three-point range on 8.4 attempts per game. While his turnovers remained relatively high at 3.5 per contest, the overall leap in production began to shift perceptions.

Although he didn’t play enough games to qualify for the G League’s season leaderboards, James would have ranked among the league’s top performers. On Mar. 24, he erupted for a career-high 39 points in a win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, adding four three-pointers, three steals and a block in a statement performance.

NBA minutes remained limited, and likely will for the foreseeable future, but the trajectory of James’ development is undeniably positive. He showed real improvement as a scorer, playmaker and defender, steadily taking on more responsibility as the season progressed. 

That growth carried into Summer League, where he emerged as one of the Los Angeles Lakers' most consistent contributors. In Las Vegas, James averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds on 47.6 percent shooting over four appearances. 

His final three games stood out in particular, including an 18-point second half against the Boston Celtics and a 17-point, five-rebound, five-assist outing against the Los Angeles Clippers. His improved feel in pick-and-roll situations, increased confidence with the ball and sharper scoring all signaled meaningful progress.

Most importantly, the 6-foot-3 guard is beginning to look like a player capable of contributing at the NBA level, not because of his last name, but because of the development he's putting on display. With his rookie season behind him and a full offseason to build on, James is starting to look like a prospect worth watching.

Matt Evans
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Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports.  Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

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