"Some of this is due to LeBron & Klutch" - NBA executive predicts Bronny James potentially being 'shut down' & re-evaluated by Lakers
Bronny James is playing his first few NBA games, facing the weaker side of the competition. The LA Lakers young guard was selected as the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a decision that raised many eyebrows around the association.
Once he started playing, fans noted that Bronny doesn't seem to be fit to play in the NBA right now. Even Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was caught saying that James didn't look like a pro.
Former Phoenix Suns GM and Boston Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough spoke with Justin Termine of Sirius XM NBA Radio to discuss the Lakers and Bronny James.
"It would be hard not to say that it's clearly some of this, if not most of this, it's due to LeBron, due to Klutch and all of that to Bronny being in this position. Now that being said, it doesn't mean the kid can't improve and develop to have a good NBA career.
"We've seen other players really struggle, including Jalen Brunson in Summer League and then go on to have very productive NBA careers, although Bronny is a long way from that at this point," McDonough said.
He explained that the Lakers could make a decision soon if Bronny James doesn't show any signs of improvement.
"If anything, it's not good. I think it'll be a great time for the Lakers organization to step in, shut him down, have a bit of an up note and then get back to the lab and work on his game because he's got a lot of work to do between now and the fall, once he's playing against better, real NBA players," McDonough explained.
Rachel Nichols comes out to defend Bronny James against criticism
Former ESPN journalist Rachel Nichols shared her thoughts on the Bronny James situation. She reminded people that he's a No. 55 pick and some are looking at him as if he was a top-10 selection. Nichols said that the expectations for James are unfair and brought up last year's No. 55 pick to prove her point.
"I think that people are looking at him as if he’s a top-10 pick. He’s not a top-10 pick. He is a No. 55 pick. The expectations for a No. 55 pick should be that you’re largely headed to the G-League and may get some games up in the NBA.
"Last year’s No. 55 pick (Isaiah Wong) played four total minutes in the NBA. He didn’t average four minutes a game in the NBA — four total minutes, and those came in one game,” Nichols said on Undisputed.
His father has stated that Bronny James doesn't care about what people say, but perhaps they will need to listen to what the Lakers need to express.