Bronny James at the Summer League Outperformed Dalton Knecht with Two-Way Style?

Bronny James is silencing the doubters in Las Vegas. Just one year after a shaky debut in the NBA Summer League, the 20-year-old guard has made a statement with the Los Angeles Lakers, even managing to outperform first-round pick Dalton Knecht.

James, selected 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been one of the bright spots for the Lakers in the 2025 Summer League. Through three games, he’s averaged 13.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, shooting 44.8% from the field. While his three-point shot is still inconsistent (31.3% from beyond the arc), his overall game has seen remarkable improvement.

Bronny’s Best Game Yet

James turned in his most complete performance against the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, and five assists. He controlled the pace of the game and dominated both ends of the floor.

“It’s incredible to see how far he’s come,” one Lakers assistant coach reportedly said after the game.

The difference from his 2024 Summer League stint is stark. Then, Bronny averaged 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and just 1.0 assist per game, while shooting a subpar 35.0% from the field and a worrying 15.8% from deep. The leap in development is already changing the narrative around him.

From Question Marks to Confidence

Last year’s struggles had fans and analysts questioning whether Bronny belonged at this level. Many believed the Lakers had only drafted him because of LeBron James’ presence. But now, Bronny James is showing the tools of a reliable two-way player.

He’s already developed into a strong perimeter defender, known for pestering opposing guards with relentless effort. Offensively, he still needs refinement—particularly in shooting and shot creation—but he’s trending in the right direction.

“He’s not going to be a superstar,” one scout told ESPN, “but Bronny can absolutely become a glue guy on a playoff team if he keeps working like this.”

Dalton Knecht’s Surprising Slump

In a surprising twist, Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in the same draft, has struggled during the Summer League. Known for his sharpshooting, Knecht has averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, but is shooting just 29.0% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range.

These numbers are a far cry from his 2024 NBA 2K25 Summer League performance, where he posted 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. At the time, he was being hailed as one of the biggest steals of the draft.

Now, with Knecht in a shooting slump and Bronny on the rise, the two Lakers prospects are trending in opposite directions.

A Father’s Pride

LeBron James has been courtside for some of his son’s games and took to Instagram after Bronny’s breakout performance against the Clippers.

“Keep going, kid! Only you know your personal legend!” LeBron wrote.

LeBron’s support underscores the progress Bronny has made. During interviews, Bronny mentioned how the game is starting to “slow down” for him—an important sign of development for any young NBA player.

Still a Work in Progress

Despite the improvement, Bronny James is unlikely to be in the Lakers’ regular-season rotation this year. The team is focused on contending, and Bronny will need more time to polish his offensive game to crack that lineup.

“He has the tools, but he’s not quite there yet,” a Lakers development coach told The Athletic. “We’re working with him every day, and he’s coachable. That’s a great sign.”

The priority for Bronny now is continued improvement in the Summer League, where he’ll next face the Boston Celtics at Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday at 9 PM ET.

What This Means for the Lakers

Bronny’s rise is a positive storyline for the Lakers, who have faced criticism over drafting him. If he continues to progress, they may end up with a legitimate rotation piece for the future—a defensive-minded guard who can create and play within a system.

Meanwhile, the team hopes Dalton Knecht can rediscover his shooting touch and bounce back. The Lakers still view him as a long-term piece, and a few bad games in Summer League won’t derail his career—but eyes are on him now.

Conclusion: The Bronny Belief Grows

Bronny James’ breakout Summer League run proves he’s more than just a legacy name. His work ethic, defensive acumen, and growing confidence have re-ignited belief in his NBA potential.

He may not become a star like his father, but Bronny has the makings of a solid contributor—one who can impact games with energy, defense, and unselfish play. For the Lakers and for basketball fans curious about the next generation, Bronny’s progress is a promising sign.