Still, after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2023, the younger James has bounced back and is a high-level G League player, and his finding some degree of NBA success is not out of the realm of possibility.

One former All-Star outlined how the Lakers can get the most out of Bronny.

The Lakers need to avoid the James family circus

Whenever Bronny plays alongside his father, regardless of the outcome, NBA media gets swept up in a frenzy surrounding one of the more unique stories in sports. However, in his 16 appearances, he is averaging only four minutes and isn’t exactly in the best spot to develop in Los Angeles.

However, on the G League South Bay Lakers, Bronny is shining and showing improvement. In five regular-season games, he is averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals. He is also shooting 39% from 3-point range.

“He’s playing 40 minutes a night,” said Kenyon Martin on the Gil’s Arena podcast about Bronny’s success in the G League.

“Take all the shots you want to take, Bronny, there’s no restrictions. This is what he would have been doing in college, it would have been the same, so let him do that right now. Bring him up for the playoffs.”

James is averaging only 33 minutes, not 40, but Martin makes a fair point. In South Bay, he gets all the touches he could possibly want and is put in a position to succeed.

Bronny’s situation is unique

A lot of second-round picks fall to the wayside when they go to the G League, but Bronny’s last name gives him a unique chance to stay on the radar even when he isn’t playing NBA games. He is not signed to a standard contract, so he can be a factor in the playoffs if the Lakers need him, but Martin thinks he should spend as much time as possible in the G League.

“G League season is shorter than the NBA season, so when his season is over, bring him up, but until then, let him stay,” Martin continued.

“There’s a plan. It’s a graveyard for a lot of them dudes when the team doesn’t have a plan, but he has an NBA contract, he doesn’t have a two-way contract, he’s not going to get lost.”

James does have the physical tools and size to be a legitimate NBA player, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

He has a high basketball IQ and good passing instincts, but his shot–especially against larger defenders–needs some work. He is also incredibly turnover-prone, but if the Lakers treat him like a project instead of a sideshow attraction, he could emerge in the rotation next season.