Bronny heads to the G-League

Bronny James’ NBA journey is hitting a timeout. The Lakers guard — and son of LeBron James — has been reassigned to the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G-League affiliate, alongside fellow rookie Adou Thiero. The move comes just days after LeBron himself made history by beginning his 23rd NBA season, the most ever.

At 21 years old, Bronny is no stranger to the G-League. He logged significant minutes there last season, his first as a pro. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who closely covers the Lakers, broke the news of his latest assignment.

Making history with dad, LeBron

Bronny debuted in the NBA on October 22, 2024 against the Timberwolves, playing three minutes. That brief stint was enough to make history: he and LeBron became the first father-son duo ever to share the court in an NBA game.

After five games with limited action, Bronny was sent to South Bay on November 7, 2024, debuting two days later against the Salt Lake City Stars. He scored six points in 31 minutes. His rookie season ended with 27 NBA appearances (one start), averaging 2.3 points per game. He even saw playoff action, though sparingly, as the Lakers fell to Minnesota in the first round.

The ongoing debate

Questions about Bronny’s NBA readiness haven’t stopped. Critics argue his spot exists largely because of his famous last name. While he’s praised for his defensive instincts and ball-handling, his 6-foot-2 frame is considered undersized for today’s NBA, and his lack of a reliable outside shot has been a glaring weakness.

This season, head coach JJ Redick even publicly scolded him for passing up an open jumper — a moment that underscored his hesitation from deep. That reluctance has limited his minutes and kept him bouncing between the NBA and G-League.

Signs of progress

Still, Bronny has shown growth. Injuries to the Lakers’ roster opened the door for him to play in 10 of the team’s first 15 games (11-4 record), including one start. He nearly reached 20 minutes in four contests — something he managed only twice last season.

That uptick suggests Redick sees him as a situational defensive option with room to develop. For now, though, Bronny heads back to the G-League to continue refining his game.

The verdict: Bronny’s NBA story isn’t over — but for now, it’s on hold.

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