Overview
- After Las Vegas play, James said he is prioritizing confidence bringing the ball up and being able to play the 1 when needed.
- The Lakers gave him expanded lead-guard reps in Summer League, producing mixed results that included turnover issues.
- Early Summer League minutes were limited due to his heart condition and an illness, then he ramped up and showed improved conditioning, scoring and shooting.
- Assistant coach Nate McMillan expects James to receive minutes in 2025–26, though his place in J. J. Redick’s rotation remains uncertain.
- As a rookie he logged 27 NBA games with 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes per game, and he faces backcourt competition from Dalton Knecht, Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent.