Lakers News: Bronny James Drawing Role Player NBA Comps Ahead Of Draft
One of the biggest storylines to watch over the next few months is what USC freshman guard Bronny James will do for his basketball future. The son of Lakers star LeBron James declared for the NBA Draft, but he also left his college eligibility open by entering the transfer portal.
After a lackluster first season in college, many people around basketball believe James should stay for at least another year. However, the appeal of entering the professional leagues may be too much for him and we could see him playing next season.
He is an athletic guard, who projects to be solid on defense. His offensive game is inconsistent but should get better as he develops his skills. James has been getting different player comparisons of late, namely of quality role players who made a nice living in the NBA. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor highlights some of the players who could fit the mold.
"Instead, James projects as more of a disrupter. Comparisons that came up in these conversations include Patrick Beverley, Davion Mitchell, and Norris Cole. Beverley has had the longest career of the three because he’s the best shooter (37 percent from 3 in his career). Mitchell has yet to figure out his shot with the Kings, while Cole won two titles with LeBron in Miami before flaming out, in part because his shot never developed. But all three of them were respectable defenders. Bronny will have to follow in their footsteps to catch on with a winning team."
If James can become anything like Patrick Beverley, his career will be seen as a success. While Beverley isn't a star by any means, he has become one of the more valuable role players in the last 10 years.
Only James knows if he is ready to take on the league, so it will have to be his decision alone. Being the son of a legend helps, but once the players lace it up on the court, the only thing that will matter is how he can match up against the players.
