Writer outlines career-ending scenario for Lakers’ Bronny James originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Bronny James is benefiting from the Los Angeles Lakers‘ injury troubles toward the end of the regular season.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) out of the Lakers’ lineup for now, James is experiencing an uptick in playing time. If Doncic and/or Reaves remain sidelined for the postseason, JJ Redick will have no choice but to find a significant role for the former second-round pick.
In other words, James is in good shape in early April. However, according to Fansided’s Rucker Haringey, things could take a turn for the worse for James in the foreseeable future. In a recent article written by an NBA journalist, a potential career-ending scenario for the 21-year-old was outlined.
“The good news for Bronny is that he still has one season left on his guaranteed deal with the Lakers,” Haringey wrote last Friday. “The other side to that equation is that he’d likely be one of the first players the Lakers would be willing to sacrifice in a trade where they need to create an open roster spot.”
“There’s no guarantee another team would be willing to commit a full season to Bronny since his skill set does not mesh well with what’s required in the modern NBA. If LeBron James leaves Los Angeles, it does diminish the chances of Bronny getting another full season to showcase his wares with the Lakers.”
“The real problem for the younger James is that he lacks the talent to be a quality rotation player in the NBA. That, more than his father’s career decisions, will ultimately wash him out of the league sometime in the next two years.”
Based on the way James has started his NBA career, it’s difficult to argue against Haringey’s point.
The expectations were low for the former McDonald’s All-American as a rookie, but there was legitimate optimism that he would make positive strides as a second-year contributor.
Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened, as James has received several G-League demotions and hasn’t been serviceable at the NBA level this season (he’s averaging 2.5 points and 1.1 assists per game).
Once James’ father exits the NBA, it’ll be up to the young pro to prove he can make it on his own in the most competitive professional basketball league in the world.
It’s unclear if James will be up for the challenge, but crazier things have happened in the modern NBA.
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