Bronnie James stood with his back against the wall, hands tucked into his training shorts, wrapping up practice with the Lakers Summer League team. Entering his second NBA season, he spoke with growing confidence. Last year, Bronnie faced criticism but also shared a unique moment with his superstar father, LeBron James, as they made history playing together in an NBA game, becoming the first father-son duo to do so.
Now, Bronnie is more comfortable with his skills and eager to demonstrate his progress when the Lakers face the Golden State Warriors at the California Classic in San Francisco on Saturday. The Lakers will play three games there before heading to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. One of the most anticipated matchups is the Lakers’ July 10th game against the Dallas Mavericks, featuring the No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg.
James acknowledges the attention his games attract and is ready to showcase his abilities. He reflected on last season’s nerves, saying, “It was a crazy environment for me to step in and perform right away. I was nervous. This year, I can play freely and show what I can do for my teammates.”
Dalton Knecht, another Lakers player, practiced extra shots Wednesday, showing off his impressive 37.6% three-point shooting from his rookie season. Knecht is enthusiastic about playing, particularly in Las Vegas, where Laker fans consistently pack the arena and show strong support.
Meanwhile, Lakers rookie Jaden Ado-Tiero is sidelined this summer due to a left knee injury. Picked 36th overall from Arkansas in a trade with the Timberwolves, Ado-Tiero is in the final phase of recovery and aims to be cleared by training camp.
Bronnie James’ first NBA season has given him valuable experience. He started in one of 27 games, averaging 2.3 points per game with 31.3% shooting and 28.1% from beyond the arc. “Yes, certainly, it’s more excitement than nervousness,” James said. “I’m focused on being ready for play—defense, offense, whatever the role. Being a good teammate on this summer league team is my goal.”
James is also prioritizing conditioning and defense this summer. “That’s my main focus,” he said. “I’m running a lot, working on my conditioning, eating healthy. It’s my second year, so I’m learning.”
Knecht appeared in 78 games last season, averaging 9.1 points and 19.2 minutes per game. He noted that as the season went on, the game slowed down for him, helping his improvement. After the Lakers’ playoff exit, Knecht immediately dedicated time to practice, shooting early mornings and late nights to refine his game.
This story first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
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Fan Take: Bronnie James’ growth story is inspiring for basketball fans, highlighting the pressures and progress of an NBA rookie with a legendary last name. Watching his development alongside talented teammates like Dalton Knecht adds excitement to the Lakers’ future, showing the next generation of players ready to make their mark on the sport.
