The NBA season is months away from getting started, but the Los Angeles Lakers are in the limelight already. One of the summer league players opened up about the “tensions” within the locker room that existed with Bronny James, a high-profile prospect a part of the roster. The player blamed the system for not just curtailing opportunities for others but also destroying team chemistry by giving the 19-year-old preferential treatment.

For many of these youngsters, their performance could earn a spot on the roster. Hence, one can understand the frustrations of being limited. But at the same time, the Lakers simply pushed their drafted players into the limelight in an attempt to examine their skills under the pump. Draymond Green saw no problem with how the Lakers favored Bronny James and publicly defended him through his Instagram.

“Any player that is actually drafted will be showcased and favored more in the Summer League… These things are getting dumber and dumber,” he wrote in his unfiltered response.

As a close friend to LeBron James, Green has previously spoken highly of his teenage son. Back when Bronny James got drafted, he even predicted the 19-year-old to excel with most upcoming stars through the draft. Additionally, Green also speaks from personal experience. In the 2012 Summer League, the 34-year-old played just as much as Bronny did while playing all five games. The product of the Warriors encouraging Green’s development resulted in a dynasty.

And before it creates a rift, no, this doesn’t mean the Lakers’ plans of building the system around the teen will provide them a franchise star in the future. But it will aid in James getting his feet under him again, and it did. After two poor games, the USC product bounced back, scoring 12 and 13 points in back-to-back games on much-improved efficiency.

Moreover, Bronny James began looking more confident when playing under such high intensity and in a packed arena. Given his long break from basketball, such extreme preparations could shape the youngster for a bright future with the Purple and Gold. But he wasn’t the only player they drafted.

Bronny James wasn’t the only one with opportunities

The Lakers might have given Bronny James ample opportunities despite his struggles. But he wasn’t the most used rookie on the team. The LA side pushed Dalton Knecht, their 17th pick, a lot more than they did with James. Knecht was given complete freedom and treated as the first option through all the three games he played in the Summer League.

In comparison, the opportunities of Bronny James pale in front of Knecht. But the 23-year-old did showcase a refined skill set and capability to be a long-term member of the senior squad. Dalton Knecht was among the leading rookie scorers averaging 21.3 points per game while shooting 39% from three.

Not only did he play greater minutes, but Knecht also attempted significantly more shots per game than Bronny James and had the offense curated in a manner that highlighted his prime skills. So it is just as Draymond Green said. The drafted players will get preference since they are tasked with being the future of the franchise. Bronny James didn’t ask for more, and nor did he get anything exceptional when put aside other plays from the draft.