What The Lakers And Bronny James Can Teach Businesses About Leadership Development
Every July, the NBA Summer League becomes a proving ground—not just for rookies and aspiring pros, but for the organizations betting on their futures. It's a time when potential is tested, when high expectations either rise or collapse under the weight of reality.
This year, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg. The Duke phenom—selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks in last month's draft—made his professional debut in the Summer League. But if you really want to see a leadership lesson in action, shift your gaze to the other side of the court when Flagg makes his debut against the Lakers. Watch Bronny James.
Yes, that Bronny James. The son of LeBron. The 55th pick in last year's draft. The player so many fans and pundits quickly wrote off as nothing more than a last name. A player who, in the spotlight of the NBA, averaged fewer than three points per game across just 23 appearances.
But while the headlines cooled and the critics moved on, something powerful was happening behind the scenes. Bronny James was working. He was putting in the reps, away from the glamour of prime-time lights. He was competing in the NBA G League—where the crowds are smaller but the hunger is real—and he was growing into a force. By season's end, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
'Bronny James' rookie year in the G League was ELECTRIC!' the NBA G League declared on social media. The results he produced matter more than the hype, the marketing, and the chatter on social media.
And here's the kicker: this kind of breakout didn't happen by accident. It happened because someone made a decision that's easy to talk about but hard to do—especially in business. The Lakers brass sent Bronny down so he could level up.
Back in November, NBA legend Charles Barkley said that was exactly what the Lakers should do.
'I think he needs to go to the G League so he can get better as a basketball player. He's not going to get better sitting on the bench,' Barkley said. 'The only way you get better at playing any sport is playing that sport.'
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - APRIL 07: Charles Barkley looks on before the NCAA Men's Basketball National ... More Championship game at Alamodome on April 07, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Barkley was right. And so were the Lakers for listening.
Because here's the leadership truth hiding in a basketball story. You don't develop greatness by keeping potential on the bench. You develop it by putting people in real-world environments where they can stretch, fail, learn, and rise.
Stephen Nalley, the founder and CEO of Black Briar Advisors, wrote about developing young leaders in Forbes and stressed the importance of providing opportunities to grow.
'For potential leaders to develop, they need opportunities to apply their skills and stretch beyond their current capabilities,' Nalley wrote. 'This can involve leading projects, shadowing senior leaders or taking on temporary assignments in different parts of the organization.'
That's not just a best practice—it's a business imperative. Whether you're running a basketball team, a tech startup, or a 100-year-old family business, the lesson is the same. Your people won't grow if they're sitting on the sideline waiting for a promotion. They grow when they're trusted with the ball.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Bronny James #9 ... More of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
The Mavericks will use the Summer League to test Cooper Flagg's mettle. Other teams will do the same with their top picks. And Bronny James is there too—only now, the story is different. He's not just the son of a legend. He's a young professional who has earned the right to be watched not because of where he came from, but because of what he's becoming. In recent days, he's garnered great reviews for his play in the Summer League.
That's exactly the kind of growth every leader should strive to nurture in their own organization. Great organizations don't just spot talent, they steward it. They don't just celebrate potential, they challenge it--and when they do, they create leaders.
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