The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned Bronny James to their G League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Lakers, after he barely saw the floor during the team’s hot start. The 22-year-old guard has played just five games this season, averaging 2.4 minutes and 0.8 points. Rookie Cameron Carr was also sent down today, Nov. 5.
The move gives Bronny James regular minutes right as Coachella Valley opens its season Friday at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert against the Salt Lake City Stars. The assignment does not remove him from the Lakers’ NBA roster.
Why did the Lakers send Bronny James to the G League?
There simply is no room in the rotation right now. The Lakers sit at seven wins and two losses, tied near the top of the Western Conference with Houston and just behind Portland. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler are carrying the load, and coach JJ Redick has not found steady minutes for Bronny.
The timing also lines up with the G League calendar. Coachella Valley had not played a game yet, which means this was the first real chance to give Bronny live game reps without leaving him on the bench.
How has Bronny James played in the G League before?
Much better than his NBA numbers suggest. Over the past two seasons, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 25 G League games, shooting 49.6% from the field and 41.3% from three. That production came with the South Bay Lakers, which have since relocated to the desert and rebranded.
Coachella Valley also has a new coach. Alex Cerda replaced Zack Guthrie, who joined Redick’s staff with the Lakers. That connection means the people evaluating Bronny in Palm Desert have a direct line back to Los Angeles.
Is this Bronny’s first season without LeBron?
Yes, and that changes everything about how people see him. LeBron ended his eight year run with the Lakers and signed a two year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers have opened the season with eight wins and one loss.
When a fan asked Bronny over the summer how he felt about his father leaving, he shrugged it off and said it was just his dad. Reports at the time said the two were not a package deal, and the Lakers had guaranteed Bronny’s contract.
For years, Bronny’s critics said he only had an NBA job because of his last name. Now he is three seasons in, playing without his father in the building and trying to prove he belongs on his own. Plenty of Black families know that feeling of carrying a famous name while working to build your own story.
Did Bronny show any progress last season?
He did. Bronny James averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists in 42 appearances last season. He even earned meaningful rotation minutes during the Lakers’ first round playoff series against Houston, averaging seven minutes and two points.
Will Bronny James face LeBron on Christmas Day?
That is the question hanging over this entire move. The first time Bronny and LeBron James could meet as opponents is on Christmas Day, when the 76ers visit Crypto.com Arena to play the Lakers.
That gives Bronny James about seven weeks. If he dominates in Palm Desert the way he has in past G League stints, he could force his way back onto the Lakers’ active roster before Dec. 25. If not, the most anticipated father and son matchup in NBA history might happen with one of them watching from the desert.
The clock starts Friday night.
