NBA: Bronny James to split time between Lakers, G League team

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

LOS ANGELES — Bronny James is expected to begin splitting time between the Lakers and the team’s G League affiliate, even though coach JJ Reddick said those plans could change.

ESPN reported Friday that James will be going between the two teams after the Lakers complete a five-game trip Nov. 6. The South Bay Lakers begin their G League season on Nov. 9 against the Salt Lake City Stars.

“Our plans are always fluid based on real time,” Reddick said Friday before the Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns. “I believe we have two guys dressing today that as of yesterday we’re not dressing out.

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“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.”

Bronny James was the 55th overall pick in the June draft after one season in college at Southern California. Most second-round picks during their rookie seasons spend time in the G League and are on two-way contracts.

Bronny James played 3 minutes Tuesday night in the Lakers’ 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 4.2 points and 16.2 minutes of playing time in six preseason games.

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The Lakers host Sacramento on Saturday before going on the trip. The second game on the trip is to Cleveland on Wednesday. LeBron James, an Akron native, played 11 seasons for the Cavaliers and led them to an NBA championship in 2016. The younger James was also born in Akron in 2004.

The father said during Lakers media day last month that he expected his son to split time between the NBA and the G League.

“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,” he said. “We want to hold him accountable. He’s going to hold us accountable, and if we all do that, we’ll all get better, because we’re all one team. We are a reflection of the South Bay. The South Bay is a reflection of us. … We’ll continue to grow, stacking days. I know he’s going to do that, because that’s just what he’s about.”