Kevin Durant Was Right About Lakers Star Bronny James

Bronny James garnered significant attention during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, initially struggling at the NBA level but later excelling in the G League after finding his rhythm. His performance included notable highlight plays, such as powerful dunks showcased during NBA Dunk Week.

Before Bronny was drafted 55th overall, Kevin Durant commented on his potential in a July 9, 2024, interview on IMPAULSIVE. When asked by Logan Paul about Bronny’s career, Durant expressed interest but suggested Bronny might benefit from another college season to further develop, rather than immediately staying in the draft.

Durant’s assessment aligned with Bronny’s early NBA statistics: in 27 games for the Lakers, he averaged only 2.3 points per game on 31.3% field-goal shooting and 28.1% from three-point range, indicating a challenging transition to the league.

However, Bronny’s 11-game G League regular season showcased dramatic improvement, with averages of 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He shot 44.3% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range, proving his ability to compete at a high level with the South Bay Lakers.

His growth was further highlighted during the Summer League, where a standout play on July 17 featured a slick crossover, hang time in the air, and a finish through contact, earning recognition from the NBA’s official channels as an exceptional moment.