Bronny James’ journey to the NBA was never going to follow the usual script. When your last name is James and your father is one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of sneakers, expectations don’t just rise - they skyrocket. Add to that LeBron’s well-documented desire to one day share an NBA court with his son, and Bronny’s path was always going to be under a brighter spotlight than most.
That spotlight has only intensified since the Lakers drafted Bronny with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. And while late second-round picks often face an uphill battle just to make a roster, Bronny signed a guaranteed deal and landed with one of the most high-profile franchises in the league - the same team his father has called home for years. Naturally, that raised eyebrows across the basketball world.
Most recently, the conversation flared up again when the Lakers made a surprising move: sending rookie Dalton Knecht to the G League. Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the same draft class, came into the league with a reputation as a polished scorer and a player ready to contribute. So when he was assigned to the South Bay Lakers while Bronny remained with the main squad, plenty of fans and analysts had questions.
One of the louder voices came from former NBA guard Jeff Teague, who spoke out on the Club 520 podcast. “No disrespect to Bronny, but like, Knecht was a first-round pick,” Teague said, echoing a sentiment shared by many around the league.
His point was simple: if the Lakers aren’t going to give Knecht a real shot, they might as well move on and let him play somewhere else. “Give that man a chance,” Teague added.
The heart of the discussion isn’t necessarily about Bronny vs. Knecht.
It’s about development, opportunity, and how teams manage young talent. And while it might seem like Bronny is getting special treatment, the reality is a little more nuanced.
Despite the perception that Bronny hasn’t seen G League action, he has suited up for South Bay. In fact, he was assigned there as recently as November 20.
His numbers in those games have been modest - averaging around 10 points per game with limited impact in other areas like assists and rebounds. That’s not unusual for a rookie still finding his footing, especially one who missed significant time during his freshman season at USC due to a health scare.
But the criticism - especially when it singles out Bronny - can feel misplaced. He’s logging minutes, putting in the work, and trying to earn his place just like any other rookie. The difference is that every step he takes is magnified, dissected, and debated in a way that most second-round picks never experience.
Teague’s comments also come with some history. He’s previously expressed skepticism about the father-son dynamic of LeBron and Bronny potentially sharing the court, and he hasn’t exactly hidden his doubts about Bronny’s NBA ceiling. That context matters, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Lakers’ handling of their young players - both Bronny and Knecht - will continue to draw scrutiny.
For now, Bronny’s role remains a work in progress. He’s not expected to be LeBron 2.0.
He’s trying to carve out his own lane, and that takes time. Whether he sticks with the Lakers long-term or finds a different fit elsewhere, the only thing that will ultimately quiet the noise is consistent play and steady growth.
And as for Knecht? The G League isn’t a demotion - it’s a development tool.
Plenty of first-rounders have taken that route before blossoming into key contributors. If anything, the Lakers’ decision to send him down could be about giving him the reps and rhythm he needs to be ready when his number is called.
In the end, both rookies are on their own timelines. The challenge - for the Lakers, for the players, and for the fans - is to let that process play out without jumping to conclusions too early.
The NBA is a marathon, not a sprint. And for Bronny James, the race has only just begun.