By Sunday 
There’s something brewing in Los Angeles, and it’s not just LeBron’s legacy tour. While all eyes are on The King, his son Bronny James is quietly shaping a path of his own — one that Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes could lead to a long and gritty NBA career.
But don’t expect flashy highlight reels or 30-point nights just yet. According to Redick, the blueprint for Bronny’s success lies in two names most casual fans might overlook: Davion Mitchell and T.J. McConnell.
“On Every Single Possession”
Speaking to ESPN, Redick didn’t hold back on where Bronny stands:
“The biggest thing for Bronny is that he has to get in elite shape. That’s the barrier of entry for him right now.”
Redick isn’t demanding stardom. He’s asking for hustle — the kind that players like McConnell and Mitchell have built entire careers on. These guys aren’t towering dunkers or viral sensations, but they’ve carved out roles as two-way wrecking balls. Their secret? Unrelenting energy.
“On every single possession, they’re in the game — whether that’s offensively or defensively — they’re able to impact it with how hard they play,” Redick explained.
“With the defensive pickup points, the disruption, being able to get downhill … we’ve all seen these amazing flashes of it from Bronny.”
Past the Scary Chapter
Let’s not forget: Bronny’s journey hasn’t been a smooth one. He’s still pushing through the aftermath of a terrifying health scare — a cardiac arrest in 2023 that could’ve ended everything before it began. Redick acknowledges that mental hurdle, but he’s confident the young guard is moving in the right direction:
“He’s cleared… it’s tough to push past certain points, but he’s going to get there.”
The New Look Bronny
Bronny isn’t just working on cardio. He’s also been bulking up, adding muscle to help him withstand the bruising nature of the NBA. And it shows — he’s noticeably bigger since being drafted, looking more like a guard ready to fight through screens than a college freshman just trying to keep up.
Summer League gave us a glimpse of that evolution. The comfort, the confidence, the willingness to dive into plays — it was all there.
A Rotation Spot? Maybe. A Future? Absolutely.
Sure, Redick won’t pencil Bronny into the rotation just yet — there’s work to be done. But in an era of NBA glam and big names, this underdog mentality might just be exactly what the Lakers need.
Because if Bronny can channel the same relentless energy as McConnell and Mitchell, if he can stay in elite shape and bring it on both ends, he won’t need the James name to stick around.
He’ll have earned his own.