Bronny James made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers this week during the team’s season-opening win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as he and his father LeBron James became the first father-son duo ever to play in an NBA game together. But it sounds like his time as a regular on the team’s roster might be short-lived.
According to a report from ESPN, Bronny James is expected to be sent to the team’s South Bay G League affiliate in the coming weeks.
Lakers head coach J.J. Redick seemed to confirm this report during his press conference before Friday night’s game.
“Our plans are always fluid based on real time,” Redick said before the game Friday according to ESPN. “I believe we have two guys dressing today that as of yesterday we’re not dressing out.
“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. [General manager] Rob [Pelinka] and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that.”
LeBron addressed the plan for Bronny and his potential time in the G League during the team’s media day last month.
“Just [looking forward to] seeing him continue to grow as a basketball player no matter if it’s here with us or if it’s down with the G League team and him continuing to get better and better and better,” LeBron said last month.
“His job is to put the work in and get better and better, just like the rest of us. And we want to hold him accountable, and he’s going to hold us accountable. And if we all do that, we all get better, because we’re all one team. We’re a reflection of South Bay; South Bay is a reflection of us.”
While this may have been the plan all along, it’s still pretty horrible news for Bronny as it will do little to quiet any of the claims that he only made it to the NBA because of his father and that his spot with the team is nothing more than a PR spot.
In fact, the news has already sparked a lot of reactions on social media.
“Picked him early to send him to the g league. Should’ve just stay in college,” one fan wrote on X.
“Short lived but hope he grows into a better NBA player,” another fan added.
“Will be the biggest bust in NBA history,” another fan wrote.
“He should just be fully on the g-league roster and not worry about getting called up cuz he can’t actually help the Lakers yet,” another person said.
“At least father and son made history,” another fan added.
“So him playing in the first game was a hoax? Media Optics to promote something illegitimate?” another person asked.
We’ll have to see how Bronny continues to develop as a player.
