Bronny James rookie season didnt light up the stat sheet, but former NBA veteran Matt Barnes believes the young guards story is far from finished.
In fact, he thinks LeBrons son could grow into a major piece of the leagues future.
Barnes broke down the unique pressures James faces as the 55th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.
I think Bronny Bronny is tough from a standpoint of he is always going to be compared to his day. Obviously, LeBrons son is both a gift and a curse, Barnes said on BigBoyTV.
Despite averaging only 2.3 points on 31.3 percent shooting in limited minutes with the Lakers, Barnes said he sees real potential if Bronny is given time to develop.
I think Bronny is going to be a very solid player in this league, Barnes said. Will he be a superstar like his dad? Probably not. But, I wouldnt doubt that he has a chance to be an All-Star or Sixth Man of the Year. He is a very smart, talented player, who plays basketball the right way. He is someone that I think he could have used another year or two in college.
The 6-foot-2 guard showed flashes of defensive effort and smart decision-making, but the transition from college prospect to NBA rotation piece proved to be a massive leap.
Barnes added that a longer college stint could have provided the space for Bronny to continue sharpening his overall game and grow into a leader without the overwhelming shadow of constant Kings son scrutiny.
The upcoming season now looms as a pivotal one. Bronny has already logged valuable experience in both the NBA and G League.
With the right development path, Barnes believes the young guard can eventually silence the doubters and carve out his own identity.
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