With so much going on in the NBA around Luka Doncic, the focus has diverted from one big storyline that stood out only a few months ago: Bronny James. LeBron’s 20-year-old son continues to carve his career path through the Lakers and the G-League, with his average scoring not really seeing an improvement. Amidst a poor run during which the young player is averaging 0.7 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game, the question of just how long Bronny can continue at this pace, lingers. However, within the hoops fraternity itself, there are a few who continue to hold hope for him. Paul George is amongst those few believers.

The 34-year-old small forward hosted another segment of his long-running pod. During the same, it didn’t take him long to touch base on Bronny and his continuing struggles in the league. Before getting specifically to the player, though, George discussed how a youngster slowly develops. Each game helps to establish a ‘benchmark’ for what works for an athlete and what doesn’t.

“You might get to Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and you take it a step further. You understand your game, you understand your readiness, your preparation.” Paul George reveals he’s already seeing traces of the right plays, athleticism, and finishing from James Jr. Things that can be honed with time and experience. For the veteran, however, the thing that is holding the young player back is expectations.

“I think, for his case, some of it from what I watched when he played us, some of it was a little indecisiveness, and I think he’s feeling the pressure that way,” said George. “When he’s on the floor, he has to produce, he has to score, he has to do something”.

Being a legacy player has its perks and issues. When one follows in their parent’s footsteps, it sets expectations to perform on a similar level. Some players like Stephen Curry overcame that to create their own identity. Others, like Marcus Jordan, couldn’t.

For Bronny, though, who is the son of the NBA all-time top scorer and a 4x Champion, the expectations are on a whole other level. Furthermore, it doesn’t help when the parent you are being compared to also happens to be your teammate!

“He gets his like, he knows how to score and do special things. But it’s all off the field for the game. He can’t do that. You playing on the floor with LeBron James, you’re playing with Anthony Davis, like you have vets in front of you. The ball’s not really going to be in your hands, you know what I mean,” the 9x All-Star said on Podcast P with Paul George. “So, I think, when I’m on the floor, I gotta make something happen. I have to, you know, produce. And I think that comes with a lot of pressure”.

Bronny has had his moments to shine ever since he was drafted into the league. He went way beyond his current averages when he recorded 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the preseason finale. Despite the South Bay Lakers losing to the Valley Suns in Dec, James Jr. came out on top with his 30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 25 minutes. These glimpses are rare but speak well about the player. As Paul George highlighted, they may be seen more often, once the pressure moves away from the player.

If there ever was a time for the NBA King’s son to step up, it is now. After all, if one unexpected rumor mill conversation is believed, then the upcoming games may be Bronny’s last with the Lakers.

Will Bronny and LeBron James be traded to the Golden State Warriors?

If the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade taught us something, it is that anything can happen before the trade deadline. With it approaching fast, the time to take drastic action is reducing. The Lakers already secured their future post-LeBron James with Luka Doncic. However, can they one-up the same? Can they commit to sending both James to the Golden State Warriors?

Nothing of that level has been reported to be in the talks yet. However, Bleacher Report journalist Eric Pincus recently proposed a trade deal that would finally pair LeBron James and Stephen Curry in the Bay Area. The trade would see the Warriors gaining the services of LeBron James, Bronny James, Cam Reddish, and Christian Wood. In exchange, the LA side would get Jonathan Kuminga, Dennis Schröder, Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, and a 2025 first-round pick.

LeBron James had earlier indicated that he would like to play with his eldest son once before retirement. While that wish has been fulfilled, the 40-year-old wouldn’t want to go in another direction without Bronny. So, with this trade, Bronny would get a fresh start (not out of the limelight, though), and the Warriors could solve the offensive/star power dilemma that has limited their win record this season. Adding the King to form an all-powerful trio of LeBron, Curry, and Green would be an interesting experiment.

Although hope continues to exist for Bronny James, the young Laker may not choose to give up yet. He’s proved to be a hard worker, that’s for sure. Whether the hustle will be enough for him to improve his displays on the court remains to be seen.