It’s been four months since the NBA draft, yet the buzz around Bronny James continues to amplify. In the little that has been seen, he still looks raw. His Summer League made it clear that he was far from being league-ready just yet. However, the Lakers are still confident given his potential to develop into a riveting player for their side. But are those expectations realistic?

ESPN took the liberty to conduct a league-wide survey to truly understand the ceiling on the 20-year-old prospect. Let’s just say the executives didn’t hold back. Two key takeaways emerged from the assessment. The major one was that the only reason the 2024 second-round draft pick gained such visibility was due to his last name. But in terms of the vision, they couldn’t see how the 6’1″ guard benefits from being in the Lakers locker room.

“The expectations for Bronny by the fan base and by LeBron and Rich Paul are not commensurate with the reality of his game. If they had any real idea of how far away Bronny is, they just would not have done this,” an anonymous league executive told ESPN.

But what are these expectations? In the talks that have been held about Bronny James, JJ Redick has stressed one component – development. With the new culture in place, there is heavy reliance being placed on evolving players through their ranks. With Bronny James, that’s the bottom line during his rookie campaign.

The intrigue of being the son of one of the most decorated basketball players to have lived was bound to arise. The report also stated how an Eastern scout believes the decision is “set up for failure” due to the unclear expectations with the drafting of the 20-year-old. But with the careful attention devoted to young players, that might not be the case.

It’s important to stay patient with Bronny James

Often, due to the story’s magnitude, history tends to take a backseat. The reality is that despite Bronny James’ size and current state on the NBA floor, he’s still not at his full potential. This isn’t pertaining to his ceiling but rather regaining his standard since his medical procedure.

It’s barely been over a year since the prospect underwent heart surgery to repair a congenital defect. Prior to it, he was a renowned prospect due to his explosiveness and maturity. Those are certain qualities he has been able to retain. However, as far as his movement and presence on the court go, there hasn’t been ample basketball since to rightly evaluate the 20-year-old.

The upside is that he’s “humble” enough to acknowledge his current status. He’s not leveraging his famous last name to seize opportunities or make any special demands. “Truthfully, he’s so easy to coach, and he’s got a great soul and just a great energy about him,” Redick elaborated about Bronny. At the very least, that’s the starting point.

His drafting might have been manipulated, but even Stephen A. Smith feels it’s something LeBron James ‘deserves’. The part of Bronny James comes with his approach to having the platform. In the past, he has had breathtaking moments that define his true caliber. With a 6’7″ wingspan, he is a constant defensive disruptor with a neat shot on his hands.

The USC product isn’t trying to be lofty either. He is merely “looking forward to any basketball” he can play. To claim he is walking to failure simply sounds harsh and isn’t a comprehensive calculation. It’s an evaluation of what has been presented in the span of his medical challenges.

This doesn’t mean that he will become a great NBA player. But it’s vital to give him the appropriate time and space to evolve and truly find his place on the court. Once he does adapt to the pace and has enough reps under his belt, then such conversations can be had. Until then, many prospects who by the looks wouldn’t be NBA players have gone on to become greats. In that regard, Bronny James should be given a chance to prove himself.