By Sunday 
The question of whether Bronny James will crack the Los Angeles Lakers’ rotation in the 2025–26 season isn’t just media speculation anymore—it’s getting real backing from those in NBA front offices.
A Rocky Start, But Signs of Growth
Bronny’s rookie year wasn’t exactly a Hollywood debut. Summer League and preseason stats were tough to watch: low percentages, limited minutes, and lots of questions. He shot just 35% from the field in the Summer League and an even less flattering 8.3% from deep in the preseason. Critics had a field day, accusing the Lakers of nepotism for drafting LeBron’s son at all.
But it turns out Bronny might have just needed time to breathe.
From G League Doubts to G League Promise
Fast forward a few months, and Bronny started heating up in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. The numbers? A respectable 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game—on improved shooting splits, no less. He shot 44% from the field and an eye-catching 38% from three.
It wasn’t just noise; there was actual improvement happening. As one Western Conference executive put it:
“He was a lot better player in April than he was in October, and definitely in July.”
That’s not something scouts say about players they’re dismissing.
The Case for Real Rotation Minutes
This same executive didn’t hesitate to go bold:
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that’s their plan.”
Translation: The Lakers want Bronny James to be a regular part of their rotation next season.
Why? According to the exec, it’s not just about the scoring. Bronny has shown he can guard the perimeter and knock down open threes—two qualities every NBA team craves, especially when rounding out a second unit.
“If he can show that wasn’t a fluke, he is going to start getting 10, 15 minutes a night because the team is going to feel like they can trust him.”
And trust, for young NBA players, is everything.
A Title Team Is a Tough Roster to Crack
Of course, all of this optimism comes with a reality check. The Lakers aren’t rebuilding. They’re aiming for another title run, and rotations get tight fast on teams with championship expectations.
Bronny averaged just 2.3 points in limited minutes as a rookie. So if he’s going to earn consistent time, he’ll need to bring more than just a nice backstory. He’ll have to bring defense, efficient shooting, and poise.
Insider Dave McMenamin thinks Bronny could be a midseason regular. That may be ambitious—but not impossible.
The Verdict
Bronny James making the Lakers’ rotation isn’t a fairytale anymore. It’s a goal with legs. He’s earned his doubters, sure—but he’s also earning believers. If his trajectory keeps climbing, don’t be shocked if you see him out there getting real minutes in L.A. this fall.
And who knows? Maybe he writes his own legacy, one bucket at a time.