Bronny James has received the blueprint for how he can play meaningful minutes from Nick Smith Jr. and Gabe Vincent. Both have seemingly epitomized what JJ Redick is looking for in a backup guard, all the while showing what the Los Angeles Lakers are missing.
In the event that James can remain consistently healthy, space the floor with selflessness and efficiency, and defend his position, minutes could become consistently available in 2025-26.
James is already on the right track, as he's played at least 18 minutes in four of the Lakers' past seven games. It's one of the more encouraging stretches from a polarizing NBA career that has been at times overshadowed by his critics' relentless attempts to downplay his merit.