Bronny James finally showcased his best performance in the Summer League. Playing against the Atlanta Hawks, who were without top pick Zaccharie Risacher (quad injury), the 19-year-old logged 12 points while making two of his five threes. This performance provided some relief after his struggles in the first three games, where he hadn’t made a single three-pointer, raising doubts about his position in the league. After this performance, those uncertainties should stop, right? That’s not the case for the basketball prodigy.

Stephen A. Smith, the face of ESPN spoke candidly about the teenager. In his opinion, there is no place for Bronny James in the NBA at this very moment. And if he is given a roster spot by the Lakers, Smith believes it will tarnish the young hoopers legacy.

“What we’ve seen from Bronny James thus far, all I’m going to say is that unless there is vast improvement the only time we better see him is sitting on the bench or in practice. Because if he’s out there on the basketball court, nobody is going to believe that’s on his merits. They are going to believe it’s because of LeBron James. And you already believe in that anyway which is why I have never watched him,” Smith relayed.

Bronny James seemed to have his flair and engine back when balling against the Hawks. His high gear kicked in and everything seemed to flow uninterrupted. But that hasn’t been the case in the prior three games. From performance standards alone, the 19-year-old doesn’t look prepared to play in the NBA. He is only averaging a measly 7.3 points on 30% efficiency. It’s nowhere near moving enough to convince JJ Redick to have James on the active roster.

Reports do suggest the Purple and Gold are targeting to send Bronny James to the G-League for a major chunk of the season. As a developing component, the Lakers seem to have a long-term agenda in mind in regard to the USC alumnus in particular. But yes, if he is in the NBA and doesn’t display enough upside, it will be a bad look on the teen as well as his father LeBron James.

Bronny James wouldn’t mind a stint in the G-League

It’s not only the NBA fraternity that noticed Bronny James lagging behind the competition. As a willing learner and an honest individual, Bronny James sees it too. He claimed to be in a “slump” after his forgettable Summer League debut against the Houston Rockets. It was also then that he openly fielded the idea of entering the G-League for his own development.

“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play—no matter what level I’m playing at,” he told ESPN.

The former McDonald’s All-American guard is yet to fully blossom into his own array of skills. His cardiac arrest severely derailed his college production, while also halting his basketball activities. Everything on display now is him trying to feel his feet again. Hopefully, the bright performance against the Hawks that helped the Lakers get their first win in the Summer League is the benchmark Bronny James can consistently maintain.

His raw talents though, still require a medium to improve and polish. Additionally, he also needs to find his NBA role and fit within the Lakers team which already has a range of skilled players in their locker room. If he can realize his 3-and-D potential quickly, James could be injected into the Lakers’ roster as soon as the moment arrives. But till then, it might be best to prioritize his development and let him advance through the G-League where mistakes will be forgiving and he will have significant time on the floor to help expand his game.