Bronny James is entering an important Las Vegas Summer League.
It'll be the second time around in Summer League for LeBron's son with the Los Angeles Lakers. And it's a crucial stretch of basketball for Bronny.
The Athletic's John Hollinger explained the stakes in a new article out Thursday, before Bronny takes on Cooper Flagg on Thursday night:
"James has a fully guaranteed deal this year, but after that, everything is up in the air. If LeBron James isn’t a Laker after this season, it’s hard to see them keep riding with Bronny unless he’s earned his stripes by then; next year’s deal is only 50 percent guaranteed."
The implication is that the Lakers could cut Bronny after the season if he doesn't show improvement and if LeBron leaves, either via retirement or free agency.
What can Bronny do to stick around?
"Right now, James is threading a tight needle as a 6-2 3-and-D guy; either the 3 or the D part needs to be pretty exceptional to overcome his height and limited ballhandling," Hollinger writes. "The other pathway for him to become a keeper is to improve his handle enough that he can legitimately play point guard. Historically, that’s an uncommon development after age 20."
MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL
In summary, it's going to be a difficult path forward.
Bronny played 25 minutes total at the California Classic opening segment of Summer League and didn't do much aside from one steal for a dunk.
The Lakers will need to see a lot more from Bronny in Vegas, because his contract would make it pretty easy to say farewell after this season if things don't get better.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- Where might Jonathan Kuminga end up?
- Bucks might be good fit for Chris Paul
- Lakers linked to Damian Lillard
- Warriors have their eyes on two centers
- Josh Giddey could be out of contract luck