Lakers Rumors: Scouts Say Bronny Needs NBA G League to Improve All Aspects of PG Play

After getting a good look at Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James with the South Bay Lakers in the G League Showcase in Orlando this past week, scouts reportedly determined what exactly he needs to do to carve out a role for himself in the NBA.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that he's been told that James needs to commit to improving his skills as a point guard in the G League.

"The unanimous view I heard from watching scouts at the Showcase is that James needs as much time as he can get in the G League to improve all aspects of his point guard play, from his floor game to (especially) his ability to make shots," Stein stated.

James produced 16 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals on Thursday in a 98-90 loss to the Greensboro Swarm and had six points and seven assists in Saturday's 120-104 win over the Osceola Magic. He was recalled to the main roster for the Lakers ahead of Monday night's game against the Detroit Pistons.

ESPN's Bobby Marks and Jeremy Woo heard less optimistic observations of James from scouts at the Showcase, as many see his ceiling going no further than the G League.

"The best thing for Bronny James moving forward is getting repetitions in game settings with South Bay, not traveling with the Lakers on the road," an Eastern Conference scout told Marks.

Woo said he's heard from scouts who "view James much the same way they did during the predraft process: He's an unselfish player capable of making a positive impact at the G League level, but also not one with tremendous developmental upside." He went on to add, "opposing scouts know what to expect from James but largely aren't enamored by his long-term outlook. Nobody I spoke with at the Showcase changed their tune."

As the son of legendary Lakers forward LeBron James, the 20-year-old has a lofty reputation to live up to. However, it's clear that he has a long way to go before he can be viewed as a reliable contributor at the NBA level.