The Los Angeles Lakers sent Bronny James down to the G League ahead of Friday’s game against the Santa Cruz Warriors. Fans can’t be surprised. The fan favorite averaged 2.1 points, 1.8 assists, and 0.8 steals in 11.1 minutes per game after appearing in ten of the team’s first 15 games out of necessity. The Lakers dealt with several injuries, but Bronny is firmly out of the rotation now that the team is healthy.
The 21-year-old got opportunities and proved he is not ready for NBA minutes. He is shooting just 27.3 percent from 3-point range and was turning down open shots. James struggled on both ends of the floor and has a negative value over replacement player (VORP). Head coach JJ Redick made some head-scratching decisions with Bronny, but none of them worked.
The 6’2 guard needs playing time to develop. He is not getting it with the Lakers, so the obvious move is to find it in the developmental league. Bronny is no stranger to putting on a show for the South Bay Lakers and is back to do it again in his second season.
Lakers assigned Bronny James to the G League
During the 2024-25 season, Bronny averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 34.2 minutes per game over 11 regular-season contests for South Bay. He shot 44.3 percent from the field and 38.0 percent on his 3-point attempts. Those valuable reps helped the 21-year-old expand his game. James is better for them and needs more.
The Lakers would be wise to play Bronny in a different role this time. He will be used more off the ball if he is going to crack LA’s rotation anytime soon. The G League squad should look to unleash LeBron’s son as a catch-and-shoot option and defensive menace instead of being their go-to creator.
The South Bay Lakers won three of their first four games and just got a significant boost. Rookie Adou Thiero is joining Bronny in the G League. Fans can’t help but think the two Lakers will dominate the lesser competition and help South Bay continue rolling.
Bronny should be excited to hone his craft in the G League. It will give him a chance to play starter’s minutes and get significantly more on-ball reps. The Lakers will call him back up to take part in their games, but he will likely be glued to the bench. He can learn in both places, but those on-court reps are a must for a young talent looking to grow their game.
Fans knew the Los Angeles Lakers would send Bronny James back to the G League after his failed audition as the backup point guard with Gabe Vincent sidelined. LeBron’s son was not ready, which is why he is back with South Bay. It won’t last long, but do not be surprised to see Bronny keep being shuffled back and forth. He must maximize his repetitions and development. It is the most obvious solution, which killed all of the surprise.