Even after LeBron James’ departure, the Lakers continue to teem with starlight, with Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves and Walker Kessler all putting forth dazzling displays for the Western Conference’s second-best team through nine games.
They’re not the only luminaries who have held a place on Los Angeles’ roster during that stretch. Bronny James has also played a role in the Lakers’ success, although his contribution to the winning run has been far more subdued than his counterparts.
LeBron James’ exit left many wondering just what was next for his son’s future in Tinseltown. We finally might have an answer to that question after Los Angeles optioned James to the G-League to link up with the South Beach Lakers ahead of the start of their regular season.
With that, here’s what we know about James’ demotion, as well as what it might mean for his NBA prospects.
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Why Lakers assigned Bronny James to the G League
James was with the big-league side to start the season, making five appearances and scoring in wins over the Heat and Warriors. The start of the G-League season prompted Los Angeles to reshuffle its deck, with James and Cameron Carr being deemed as surplus to requirement.
That’s not a wholly surprising development. James got regular burn in the preseason but failed to impress, never tallying more than four points in the five-game set. Three seasons into his career, the 22-year-old looks like little more than a fringe NBA player at present.
Things could always change for the USC product, who played in 42 games in his sophomore year. He improved his shooting on more attempts and has shown occasional flashes of defensive upside — albeit on limited minutes. Nevertheless, JJ Redick doesn’t appear to view him as a viable rotational piece. Perhaps he can showcase some more improvement at the G-League level to persuade the Los Angeles boss.
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