Bronny James isn’t going anywhere yet. The Los Angeles Lakers fully guaranteed his contract this offseason, and he’s heading into his third NBA season after a rough preseason. Sports radio host Craig Carton said on his show this week that the young guard should leave basketball and maybe start a tech company. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Bronny hadn’t played well in his first four preseason games but had practiced well.
That gap matters. Carton’s harshest point leaned on words Redick never actually said.
What did Craig Carton say about Bronny James?
On The Craig Carton Show, Carton declared the Bronny experiment over. He suggested Bronny try something else, like starting a tech company, opening a bar or launching his own beverage. He also questioned whether LeBron James put his own legacy ahead of his son’s development.
To make his case, Carton described Redick as saying Bronny embarrassed himself and wasn’t an NBA player. Marca reported that Redick didn’t use those words. This isn’t new territory for Carton either. He has said since the 2024 draft that Bronny wasn’t an NBA player and called the Lakers’ decision to pick him a joke.
What did JJ Redick actually say about Bronny James?
Redick’s take was more measured. He said Bronny had a really good summer and September with the team and has practiced well. He admitted Bronny hasn’t played well in games but pointed to rhythm and to who he’s been playing with. Many of Bronny’s minutes came late in games next to players on two way contracts, a group Redick said wasn’t setting him up for success.
How did Bronny James play in the preseason?
The numbers weren’t pretty. Through the first four games, he scored 11 points on 26.7% shooting, made one of seven three pointers and had 12 turnovers to go with 13 assists in about 70 minutes. Against Golden State, he played 11 minutes, missed both shots and turned it over four times.
His best night came against Sacramento, with four points, four rebounds and six assists. In Friday’s preseason finale, a 121 to 106 loss to Denver, he went scoreless in 12 minutes.
Do the Lakers still believe in Bronny James?
By most accounts, yes. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that the team’s belief in Bronny is genuine. While the Lakers knew drafting him would please LeBron, Woike said they’ve long liked his athleticism, his length and his work ethic.
The money backs that up. Bronny will make $2.3 million this season, the third year of a four year deal. The fourth year is a team option, which means the Lakers will decide next summer whether to keep him.
What makes this season different for Bronny James?
For the first time, his father isn’t on his team. LeBron signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th season. When a fan asked Bronny about the move in August, he shrugged it off as no big deal, saying it’s just his dad.
It’s also worth remembering what Bronny has already been through. He suffered a cardiac arrest at USC in July 2023 and made it back to the court within months. A bad preseason is a setback. It’s not the hardest thing he’s faced.
His clearest path is to become a defender who guards opposing ballhandlers, knocks down open shots and takes care of the ball. He doesn’t have to be his father. He has to be useful.
The preseason is over, but the hot takes aren’t. Every minute Bronny plays from here is part of his audition, and next summer the Lakers will decide whether he’s earned the next chapter.
