Bronny James' incredible self-awareness is a massive gift for the Lakers

Bronny James knows exactly the type of player he needs to be in order to crack next season's rotation and silence the critics in Los Angeles. The soon-to-be second-year guard showed some incredible self-awareness leading up to the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League debut.

"I can't lose that defensive drive, that will get me on the floor," James told Dan Woike. "There's gonna be guys that can score 15, 20 a game. I'm most likely not gonna be that guy right now. But to get myself on the floor, I have to be a defensive menace, and that's my main focus."

This response was given in relation to being asked whether his approach would change after the encouraging displays of offense that Bronny showcased down in the NBA G League. James was open to upping the aggression on that end, but not at the cost of what will earn him playing time in the NBA.

The maturity showcased by the bench guard is incredibly encouraging to hear. The success of the younger James on the Lakers roster becomes easier to root for with each passing day. Bronny's mindset continues to reassure the team at every step to not give up on his future in Los Angeles.

Summer League development will be key focus of offseason for Bronny

James did not appear in the Lakers' first game of the California Classic against the Golden State Warriors. It ultimately ended up being an 89-84 loss for Los Angeles to tip-off their Summer League schedule.

The Lakers have confirmed, however, that their young guard will be on the roster. It will only be a matter of time before fans can watch the 2024 second-round pick in action.

Many were critical of the handling of James' situation by the Lakers. However, there is no doubt that a good portion of that added scrutiny comes from the obvious connection to his father. Having Stephen A. Smith unnecessarily involve himself quickly turned things into a circus for a while too.

All of this has overshadowed a player who handles the media well, puts his head down, and is constantly working on improving his game. That is exactly the kind of approach one wants to see from a second-round pick aspiring to carve out a role for himself with his team.

James will have an opportunity to showcase the work that has been put into his growth as a basketball player during the summer. An impressive display will undoubtedly go a long way to turning the heads of the Lakers coaching staff for next season.