Bronny James, son of NBA star LeBron James, is set to begin splitting his time between the Los Angeles Lakers and their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. Although Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick stated that these plans are subject to change, the current expectation is for James to rotate between the two teams following the Lakers’ five-game road trip, which concludes on November 6. South Bay Lakers will start their G League season on November 9 with a game against the Salt Lake City Stars.
“Our plans are always fluid based on real-time decisions,” said Coach Redick before Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. “The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has been in place from day one. It’s something Rob [Pelinka, Lakers’ GM], LeBron, and I have all discussed.”
Selected 55th overall in the June NBA Draft after one season at the University of Southern California, James will follow a common path for second-round draft picks, spending time in both the NBA and G League to develop his skills further. He signed a two-way contract, allowing him to gain experience across both leagues during his rookie season.
In the recent preseason games, Bronny James averaged 4.2 points and 16.2 minutes per game over six matchups. Although he dressed for Friday’s 123-116 Lakers win against the Phoenix Suns, he did not see court time. Earlier in the week, he played three minutes in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers will host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday before embarking on their road trip. This trip includes a game in Cleveland on Wednesday—a notable stop for the James family, as LeBron, an Akron native, spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading them to an NBA Championship in 2016. Bronny, also born in Akron in 2004, will be playing in a city with deep family ties.
LeBron James has openly expressed his support for Bronny’s development journey. Speaking during Lakers media day last month, he shared his vision for his son’s growth across both the NBA and G League. “Seeing him continue to grow as a basketball player, whether it’s here with us or with the G League team, is exciting. We want to hold him accountable, and he’s holding us accountable. If we do that, we’ll all improve, because we’re one team,” LeBron said. He added, “We are a reflection of the South Bay, and they are a reflection of us. I know he’ll keep stacking great days, because that’s just who he is.”
As Bronny prepares to balance his time between the Lakers and South Bay, he’ll be able to maximize his development under close guidance from both organizations. The Lakers hope this dual approach will help Bronny build a strong foundation, setting him up for future success in the NBA.
