Bronny James’ rough preseason now has a clearer explanation.
The Lakers guard, entering his third year, has struggled to make much of an impression in exhibition play, and now it’s been revealed that a quad contusion has been part of the story. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that James “has been limited by a quad contusion he suffered just before the start of training camp, sources told ESPN, and Redick added that the third-year guard has often shared the court with training camp invitees, rather than rotation players, and noted how James finished last season as a playoff contributor.”
That context helps explain some of the numbers, because James shot 25% from the field in the preseason while averaging 2.4 turnovers and 2.8 assists. It’s not the kind of stretch that helps clarify his role heading into the season, especially with a Lakers roster that’s trying to settle into a new era around Luka Doncic.
James’ defensive reputation still gives him a path to minutes, but the offense has to come along too if he wants to stay on the floor. Head coach JJ Redick said the summer work was encouraging even if the preseason hasn’t been.
“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us. I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices,” Redick said.
If James can’t turn that around, the Lakers’ ball-handling depth behind Doncic and Austin Reaves could be thin when the season opens, particularly if the rest of the supporting cast doesn’t pick things up.
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