Bronny James Assigned to the Lakers’ G-League Affiliate in South Bay Ahead of Its Season Opener

According to the Athletics’ Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie guard Bronny James to their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Bronny is expected to feature in South Bay’s G-League season opener versus Salt Lake City on Saturday. However, the 20-year-old will be on the Lakers’ roster for their upcoming match against the 76ers.

Bronny James moving to the G-League was expected once the Lakers ended their five-game away trip, which included a layover at Cleveland – Bronny's birthplace and LeBron hometown. LeBron James surely wanted his son to play in Cleveland in order to create a special memory. Bronny played five minutes during the Lakers’ 134-110 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In those five minutes, Bronny registered two points, two assists and one steal. Despite being on the away team, Cleveland fans showered Bronny with love and adulation. Following the game, the 20-year-old guard expressed his pleasure in an interview with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. He said, “It was insane. Much more than I anticipated for sure. But it's all love. It was insane. It was a nice moment. The chants really got me. I was straight-faced, but I felt it and it felt really good, especially coming from here." 

Bronny James has appeared in four games for the Lakers this season. In those four appearances, Bronny has averaged just 1 point, 0.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists in three minutes of playing time per game. But now, he will have the chance to develop in a far less challenging environment in the G-League. Having said that, Bronny will have the opportunity to play for the Lakers. According to Shams Charania, the plan is for James to divide his time between South Bay and the Lakers, playing home games with the G League team while being available for Lakers games when South Bay is on the road. 

Drafted by the Lakers as the 55th overall pick in 2024, Bronny James inked a four-year, $7.9 million deal. His agent, Rich Paul, secured this standard contract – setting Bronny apart from the typical two-way deals that players usually get when splitting time between the NBA and G League. Whether Bronny James can grow into a true NBA contributor is still an open question, but his G-League stint with the South Bay Lakers offers him the valuable game time needed to sharpen and hone his skillset. Playing at the Lakers’ training facility in El Segundo, South Bay hosts the Salt Lake City Stars on Saturday night for their season opener.