Jaylen Brown is eager to see Lakers rookie Bronny James’ “growth” as a pro — despite viral clips on social media suggesting otherwise.
Hours after footage surfaced Monday of the reigning NBA Finals MVP appearing to tell his girlfriend, WNBAer Kysre Gondrezick, that he doesn’t “think Bronny is a pro” during a Summer League contest between the Lakers and Celtics, Brown took to X early Tuesday to address the internet lip-reading.
“It’s a flex to have your son alongside you in the nba it reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful I look forward to watching his growth,” the star Celtics guard posted of the 19-year-old son of Lakers superstar LeBron James.
Jaylen Brown: “I don’t think Bronny [James] is a pro.”
Kysre Gondrezick: “I think he’ll be on the G-league team for sure.”
JB: “I don’t think so, I think because of his name he’ll be on the Lakers.” 👀
(via @NBCSCeltics)pic.twitter.com/XNXeAT0wUZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 16, 2024
Brown, 27, found himself at the center of internet buzz on Monday when he was seen courtside in Las Vegas with Gondrezick and star Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese for the Celtics’ 88-74 win over the Lakers.
NBC Sports Boston cameras captured Brown chatting with Gondrezick, which is where the alleged Bronny shade was thrown.
“I don’t think Bronny is a pro,” Brown allegedly said, according to Clutch Points, with Gondrezick appearing to respond, “I think he’ll be on the G-league team for sure.”
The three-time NBA All-Star seemingly replied, “I don’t think so, I think because of his name he’ll be on the Lakers.”
The 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny was long anticipated to land with the Lakers following one subpar season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points and 36.6 percent on shooting through 25 appearances.
He made his debut for the Trojans in late 2023 after a cardiac arrest incident last summer.
Bronny and LeBron, 39, are now the first father-son pair to play together in league history.
Amid his summer struggles, the 6-foot-2 guard is open to any assignment, which can include the South Bay Lakers of the NBA’s developmental G League.
“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play,” Bronny told reporters last week. “No matter what level I’m playing at.”
As for Brown, he and the Celtics are continuing their victory lap after winning their record 18th NBA title last month in five games against the Mavericks.
