Lakers guard Bronny James faced difficulties in a Summer League game against the Boston Celtics on Monday in Las Vegas. He managed only two points on one-for-five shooting and missed all three attempts from beyond the arc.
NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, watching courtside, had a close-up view of Bronny James, the rookie and son of Lakers superstar LeBron James. Selected 55th overall in this year’s draft, Bronny played 25 minutes, scoring two points, grabbing three rebounds, dishing out one assist, and committing two turnovers. He struggled from three-point range, missing all three attempts, including two airballs.
During the game, TV cameras captured Brown talking to his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. Although the conversation was inaudible, Brown appeared to express doubts about Bronny’s pro potential, seemingly saying, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” Gondrezick seemed to respond that Bronny might end up on a G League team, to which Brown apparently replied, “Because of his name, he’s gonna be with the Lakers.”
Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was seated with Brown and Gondrezick but did not participate in the conversation about Bronny James.
On Tuesday morning, Brown retweeted a video of the conversation and provided thoughts on Bronny joining his father’s team. “It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA,” Brown wrote. “It reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth.”
LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is entering his 22nd season and has previously expressed a desire to play alongside his son, though he has recently softened those statements.
Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout last summer but resumed playing with USC in December. As a freshman, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 25 games. He declared for the draft in the spring and, after workouts with the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, was selected by the Lakers in the second round. Bronny signed a guaranteed four-year contract potentially worth nearly $8 million, coinciding with LeBron re-signing with the Lakers on a two-year deal including a no-trade clause.
Bronny has struggled in the Summer League, scoring a total of 17 points on seven-of-31 shooting and missing all 15 three-point shots he’s attempted.
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