Second-year Lakers guard Bronny James showed tremendous growth as a player in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League — on both ends of the floor.
On defense, Bronny was routinely tasked with guarding the opponent’s best player, including Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. On offense, Bronny showcased growth in both his playmaking and scoring ability.
Bronny’s palpable growth as a player — from his rookie to sophomore season — sparked speculation that he had undergone a physical transformation, and in an interview with Lakers writer Mike Trudell, the son of LeBron James confirmed the rumors.
“Yeah, for sure,” he said of adding “significant muscle” entering his second season.
“Definitely using my body more (than in high school, at USC and) when I was first drafted,” he added. “I wasn’t using my body as well, but the physicality in the NBA is at a way higher level, so I had to get my body right.”
Bronny James Impressed His Coaches
Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding, who coached the team at the Summer League, couldn’t stop raving about the growth of Bronny as both a player and a person.
“He’s been great,” Harding said of Bronny.
“Having his time in the G League, getting more and more confidence, and then coming here and taking more minutes and responsibility on his shoulders. Handling the ball much more than he has in the past and making those decisions and reads for us, he’s taken that role on as a leader, that was also part of his growth. And then on the defensive end, where he had those moments where he can really pressure (the ball), pick up full court, be disruptive. That’s something where he can really have an immediate impact for our team this season.”
Bronny averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 24.3 minutes per game in the Summer League, while maintaining efficient 48/35/79 shooting splits.
A Bigger Role on the Lakers?
The 20-year-old credited his stint in the G League as a rookie for his development.
“I definitely think those G League reps were amazing for me to be comfortable in my game, so that’s helped for me to be out there for an extended period of time,” he told Mike Trudell.
“My confidence has grown from last year, throughout the G League season and some NBA games. It’s been a slow progression, but it’s working out so far.”
So, does Bronny expect to receive more playing time with the Lakers in the 2025-26 season? The second-generation player received just 6.7 minutes per game in 27 games with the senior squad last season, averaging 2.3 points, 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds.
[I want to] Keeping working on my game on ball, all the stuff off ball will just flow,” he said looking ahead to the 2025-26 season.
“But if I’m consistently confident in bringing the ball up, knowing my role and being able to play the 1 when it’s needed, I think I’ll be good. Because I don’t really have any problem playing off the ball if I need to. So just getting those reps over and over again of me having the ball in my hand most of the time is really good for my development.”
Bronny had earlier stated that he hopes his improved defense will help him earn minutes in JJ Redick’s rotation in his second year. He is expected to battle with the likes of Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent for minutes in the Lakers’ bench mob.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers’ Bronny James Reacts to Rumors of Body Transformation appeared first on Heavy Sports.