Bronny James, the rookie son of NBA star LeBron James, has been assigned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate, South Bay, where he is expected to make his debut on Saturday against Salt Lake City. Tickets for the game have already sold out, showcasing the excitement surrounding his appearance. Before heading to South Bay, Bronny will be part of the Lakers’ roster for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Afterward, he will rejoin the G League team, where he is expected to play primarily in South Bay’s home games.
This development plan for Bronny has been in place since the start of the season. Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed last month that the intention was always for Bronny to split his time between the NBA team and the G League affiliate. Sources close to the situation indicated that this approach was agreed upon early, as part of the team’s strategy for Bronny’s growth.
Before the draft, Bronny and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, expressed openness to G League play as part of his development. According to sources, Paul advocated for a standard NBA contract instead of a two-way deal, signaling their readiness to embrace the G League route. The G League has been a common step for second-round picks, offering valuable coaching, game experience, and development within a structured environment.
Bronny, selected 55th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, has already made a few appearances with the Lakers this season. His most significant moment came in the season opener on October 22, when he and LeBron made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. This milestone added to the growing anticipation surrounding Bronny’s career.
The Lakers’ decision to develop Bronny through the G League is in line with the typical path for second-round draft picks. In fact, 23 of the 28 second-round selections from the 2023 draft have spent time in the G League. This approach allows players like Bronny to refine their skills and gain experience before making a more significant impact at the NBA level.
