Bronny James Pulls Off a Pass His Father Would Be Proud Of in Lakers’ Preseason Win

Many questions have surrounded Bronny James‘ future with the Los Angeles Lakers after his father, LeBron James, left in the summer. However, head coach JJ Redick and the coaching staff seem happy to keep him and have seen significant improvements over the summer.

The Lakers drafted Bronny with a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Many believed that the Lakers picked him to keep LeBron James happy. Unfortunately, Bronny’s career trajectory has not taken off as planned.

The 22-year-old has received significant preseason minutes in their first three games, including a start against the Golden State Warriors. He came off the bench once again against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night. He clocked 22 minutes and recorded four points, four rebounds, and six assists.

Despite four turnovers, he showed impressive passing skills that would make even LeBron happy. In the dying seconds of the third quarter, Bronny handled the ball and drove toward the basket before finding Sandro Mamukelashvili for a three-pointer.

Bronny dime ➡️ Mamu 👌 https://t.co/mSRPLpduTD

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 9, 2026

Following LeBron’s move to Philly in the offseason, Bronny James has become one of the senior players on the Lakers’ roster. However, life has not been easy for the young star since entering the NBA, as he has struggled for minutes in his first two seasons.

When it was announced that LeBron would be leaving the Lakers, a number of teams were linked with him. It was also reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were pursuing LeBron, even cleared a roster spot for James Jr.

However, Bronny has worked on his game and is looking to make a mark in his third year. If his performance against the Kings signals what’s to come, the upcoming campaign will be promising for the Lakers guard.

Bronny James could enter the new season as the Lakers’ third point guard

Bronny James and LeBron James became the first father-son duo to play together in league history. The duo created several memorable and historic moments during their playoff run with the Lakers last season.

The former second-round pick revealed that he has made significant improvements to his game in the offseason. He worked on his jump shot, conditioning, and movement.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes Bronny James could serve as the Lakers’ third point guard in the 2026-27 campaign.

Bronny to me projects as the third-string point guard behind Luka as the starter, Sexton as the backup. The Lakers will mix in Austin, who will be a primary ball handler with Luka on the floor, but also especially when Luka goes off the floor. But Bronny gets the start as the primary ball handler. If Bronny is playing, he’s gonna be out there for his defense.

Jovan Buha on Buha’s Block podcast

Bronny has always shown that defense is one of his main strengths in his first two years. He may not have the size to take on big guards, but his athleticism is key to his perimeter defense.

The upcoming season may be important for Bronny’s future in the league. He will also be entering his first season without his father by his side, but many believe it could benefit Bronny as it would provide him with the opportunity to establish his own identity in Los Angeles.

Lakers should trade Bronny James for multiple 2nd-round picks

Based on his game time and appearances, it looks like the Lakers are going to count on Bronny James this year. He enters his third season eligible for a contract extension, adding another layer of importance to his development.

Fox Sports analyst Ric Bucher suggested that the Lakers should take multiple second-round picks for Bronny without hesitation.

I saw one media outlet suggest they could trade him for multiple second-round picks. If there’s a team out there willing to do that, the Lakers should have made that deal yesterday. I have a hard time believing such a team actually exists.

Ric Bucher on “On The Ball” podcast

Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney reported that Bronny James has attracted interest from various teams during the summer. While no names were mentioned, Bucher believes that the Lakers should not hesitate in trading him away for some assets.

However, the Lakers remain confident in him. Bronny’s shooting remains inconsistent, but his playmaking has offered encouragement heading into the new campaign.

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