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Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Nate McMillan believes Bronny James may have an opportunity to contribute at the NBA level in the 2025-26 season.

Speaking on The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac, McMillan praised the 20-year-old guard’s development since entering the league last year.

James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, became part of the first father–son duo in league history alongside his father, LeBron James. He appeared in 27 games for the Lakers as a rookie, averaging 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes per game, while spending significant time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.

McMillan credited James’ G League experience for improving his confidence and poise. “We’ve seen a lot of growth from year one,” McMillan said, via Lakers Nation. “He was much more relaxed this season. His shot was never broken, but you could see the confidence. He was knocking down those shots, getting to the basket.”

In the G League, James averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across 18 games while shooting 41.5% from the field. McMillan emphasized that the coaching staff challenged him defensively and saw improvement in that area as well.

The improvement carried into the 2025 Summer League, where James averaged 14.3 points on 47.6% shooting over four games. His performances drew strong fan interest, continuing a trend from last summer when his games in Las Vegas sold out.

McMillan acknowledged the unique spotlight James faces, saying the pressure in his rookie year was “unbelievable” but that he handled it with maturity. “I love Bronny. Great young man and we expect him to possibly get some minutes this year,” he said.

The Lakers’ roster depth at the guard position could make it challenging for James to secure a regular role, but his growth suggests he may be ready to contribute in spot minutes. With LeBron entering his 23rd season, the opportunity to share the court with his son in meaningful regular-season moments remains a storyline to watch.