Bronny James Sees Limited Playtime in Lakers’ Preseason As Rookie Teammate Impresses

Bronny James, the new addition to the Los Angeles Lakers, continues to see limited playtime as the preseason unfolds. Despite playing in all three preseason games, James’s impact on the court has remained minimal. He participated in just six minutes of play during the Lakers’ recent 107-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

The possibility still exists that Bronny James might see action on the regular season roster. There is speculation that James may join forces with his father, NBA superstar LeBron James, during the season opener, potentially becoming the first father-son duo to compete together in a regular-season game. The two have previously played alongside each other in Palm Desert, California.

While Bronny’s performance has drawn attention, another rookie, Dalton Knecht, has impressed observers with his gameplay. Knecht, the Lakers’ No. 17 overall pick from Tennessee, contributed significantly to the win over the Bucks with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists across 34 minutes off the bench. His performance has shown early promise, indicating he could be an asset for the Lakers early on in the season.

In contrast, Bronny James struggled, going 0-of-4 from the field and 0-of-2 from beyond the arc, failing to score during his brief stint on the court. Despite a rocky start, there is hope that James will find his rhythm as he adjusts to professional play.

The public’s reaction has been mixed. Dan Woike, a sportswriter, remarked, “Dalton Knecht’s competitiveness on the glass and on defense in this game, while not perfect, has been exactly what the coaching staff has been looking for out of him.” In the eyes of some fans, Knecht appears ready to make a mark in the NBA this season, with some even suggesting Rookie of the Year potential for him.

Meanwhile, opinions on Bronny James’s readiness diverged. Social media users voiced skepticism about his current ability to compete at the NBA level. One comment noted, “Bronny is not ready. Not saying he can’t get there but he not ready right now.” Another expressed hope, stating that while he has good shooting form, he needs to take full advantage of his athletic capabilities.

Dalton Knecht is coming off a strong season with the Tennessee Volunteers, where he was named the SEC Player of the Year, averaging 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His performance led Tennessee to an SEC regular-season title and its first Elite Eight appearance since 2010.

For Bronny James, expectations remain tempered. As a second-round pick, he is anticipated to spend some time in the G League, honing his skills before potentially securing a spot in the Lakers’ lineup.