Bronny James NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Lakers Roster

Bronny James, the biggest name in the 2024 draft, has found a home in the NBA after being selected with the No. 55 overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

And with that, James will now play on the same team as his father, Lakers superstar LeBron James.

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman’s Scouting Report

Player: Bronny James

Position: SG

Height: 6’4″

Pro Comparison: De’Anthony Melton

Scouting Report: For scoring, he’ll be highly dependent on converting in transition and making jump shots, either off the catch or one to two dribbles. He projects as more of a complementary piece who takes what’s given to him, moves the ball and rarely makes an unforced mistake.

Defense is where he can separate himself from other guards on the roster. And assuming he continues to be effective sliding his feet, fighting through screens and making plays in passing lanes, James’ most likely path to a rotation is as a three-and-D combo.

Lakers Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Dalton Knecht, SF: Rookie-scale contract

Bronny James, SG: TBD

Anthony Davis, C: $43.2M (2029)

Rui Hachimura, PF: $17M (2026)

Austin Reaves, SG: $13M (2027)

Gabe Vincent, PG: $11M (2026)

Jarred Vanderbilt, PF: $10.7M (2028)

Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG: $3.9M (2027)

Christian Wood, C: $3M (2025)

Maxwell Lewis, SF: $1.9M (2027)

Free Agents

LeBron James, PF: Player option

D’Angelo Russell, PG: Player option

Taurean Prince, PF: UFA

Mohamed Bamba, C: UFA

Jaxson Hayes, C: Player option

Cam Reddish, SF: Player option

Spencer Dinwiddie, PG: UFA

Max Christie, SG: RFA

Colin Castleton, PF: RFA

Skylar Mays, SG: RFA

James has had a whirlwind 12 months that started with him suffering cardiac arrest during a USC practice in July 2023. It was later revealed the issue was caused by “an anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect which can and will be treated.”

The 19-year-old made it back to the court in December and appeared in 25 games for the Trojans. He had an inconsistent freshman season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

There don’t seem to be any lingering concerns about James’ ability to stay on the court going forward. He was cleared to play in the NBA by the league’s Fitness to Play Panel prior to the scouting combine.

Given how strange things were for James last season, going through a normal offseason with NBA coaching could help him quickly improve his performance.

The Lakers are betting on James’ talent to make him an NBA player. He has shown strong defensive aptitude for a young player that he could carve out a role as a rookie while working on his offensive game to become a long-term starter in the league.