Bronny James’ rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers has been anything but predictable. One night, he’s flashing potential with a 17-point performance against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The next, he’s back on the bench, logging zero minutes in an NBA game. It’s been a true trial-by-fire introduction to the league - and the latest chapter in that journey came this weekend.
On Saturday, the Lakers assigned the 21-year-old guard to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. It’s not the first time this season the team has made that move, and given where James is in his development, it likely won’t be the last.
The decision comes as the Lakers continue to evaluate how best to bring Bronny along while competing in a loaded Western Conference. Under head coach JJ Redick, the team is built to win now, and rotation minutes aren’t handed out - they’re earned.
Through his first stretch of NBA action, James has struggled to carve out a consistent role. He’s averaging just 1.9 points per game while shooting under 35% from both the field and beyond the arc.
Those numbers tell the story of a young player still adjusting to the speed, physicality, and spacing of the pro game.
That’s where the G League comes in. It’s not a demotion - it’s a development tool. The South Bay Lakers offer Bronny something he can’t get sitting at the end of the bench in Los Angeles: real minutes, real reps, and the chance to take on more responsibility in a system tailored to growth.
Earlier this season, the Lakers sent him to South Bay ahead of their Nov. 21 matchup with the Santa Cruz Warriors. But just four days later, he was back with the main roster - a short stint that didn’t give him much time to build rhythm or confidence. This latest assignment could be different, and frankly, it should be.
Bronny James needs time - not just to work on his shot or tighten up his handle, but to learn the pro game in a setting where mistakes are part of the process, not a reason to get pulled. The G League is built for exactly this kind of situation. And with the Lakers eyeing a deep playoff run, there’s no rush to force Bronny into a role he’s not ready for.
If the Lakers commit to giving him a real runway in South Bay, it could pay dividends down the line. The flashes are there - the athleticism, the defensive instincts, the feel for the game. What he needs now is consistency, and that comes from time on the floor.
For Bronny, this isn’t a setback. It’s a step forward - one that could help him grow into the kind of contributor the Lakers hoped for when they drafted him 55th overall in 2024.