The NBA Summer League starts with a bang on Saturday, as the Lakers’ rookie duo of Dalton Knecht and Bronny James takes the floor against the Kings to start the California Classic portion of their summer slate.
Knecht and James are the faces of the Lakers’ Summer League squad, but like just about every player on the floor this summer, the next handful of weeks will be about earning a role in the regular season.
Knecht’s path is fairly clear, given he was a first-round pick and flashed an advanced offensive game at Tennessee. James is the attraction, but his immediate NBA future is less certain. With a G League stint reportedly expected after he gets the chance to play alongside his father in October, games like these will be critical to determining how soon (or if at all) James will get an extended look at the NBA level.
MORE: Bronny James’ full Summer League game logs for 2024
James’ first opportunity comes Saturday against a Kings team that is sending two rosters to the Summer League. Sacramento won’t have rookie Devin Carter available, and the team James is facing on Saturday doesn’t have much more than just some developmental pieces with little or no NBA experience.
A strong showing on Saturday could put even more eyes on James when the Lakers face the Warriors on Sunday.
Here’s a complete look at James’ stats from his Summer League debut, as well as his top highlights.
MORE: Full details on Bronny James’ rookie contract
Bronny James stats from Summer League debut
Here are James’ stats at halftime of his NBA Summer League debut against the Kings:
- Minutes: 22
- Points: 4
- Rebounds: 2
- Assists: 2
- Steals: 1
- Blocks: 0
- TOs: 0
- Fouls: 0
- FGs: 2-9
- 3Ps: 0-3
James finished with four points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal over nearly 22 minutes, shooting 2-of-9 from the field in the Lakers’ 108-94 loss.
Both James and Knecht struggled offensively for much of the day, though Knecht found a little bit of momentum in the closing minutes. James was -15 in the loss, tied with Knecht for the worst mark on the Lakers, though he showed some of that well-rounded ability with the pair of rebounds and assists as players likewise struggled around him.
FOLLOW LIVE: Bronny James’ Summer League debut vs. Kings
Bronny James highlights from Summer League debut
Here’s James’ first bucket of his Summer League career.
Bronnyโs first bucket. ๐ฅ๐ฅ
pic.twitter.com/UdLpcSMB6u
โ Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 6, 2024
James also came through with a steal to briefly turn the momentum back in the Lakers’ favor.
Bronny James’ steal leads to Kyle Mangas’ layup!
Watch the California Classic on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/PEkgw8XYw0
โ NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2024
James’ second bucket of the day was clean.
Bronny James finds separation for the midrange J!
๐ Lakers-Kings
โ๏ธ California Classic on ESPN pic.twitter.com/q0ZmUQcXlpโ NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2024
