The Los Angeles Lakers have outlined a unique development path for rookie Bronny James, aiming to balance his growth with NBA and G League experience. According to ESPN, the 18-year-old will make his debut with the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers’ G League affiliate, this Saturday against Salt Lake City.
This move comes as part of a carefully designed plan to rotate James between the two leagues, with a focus on managing his minutes and fostering gradual improvement.
Bronny James shines alongside LeBron with his first NBA basket against Cleveland
Balancing roles: NBA and G League
The Lakers intend for James to alternate between playing for the NBA team and South Bay. For example, he’s slated to suit up for the Lakers in their Friday night game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena before rejoining South Bay’s roster the next day.
According to ESPN, James is expected to participate in South Bay’s home games only, minimizing travel demands and maximizing his practice opportunities with both squads. Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that this rotational approach has been part of the plan from the start.
“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one. Rob [Pelinka] and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that,” Redick told reporters last month.
A rookie journey
Bronny James was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in June-a move met with skepticism by some who speculated it was influenced by his father’s presence on the team. Despite a lackluster preseason, James made the Lakers‘ roster and has appeared in four of their first eight games, contributing four points over 13 minutes of play.
LeBron James has publicly supported his son’s development, emphasizing accountability as a cornerstone of their shared goals.
“His job is to put the work in and get better and better, just like the rest of us,” LeBron said in September. “We’re all one team. We’re a reflection of South Bay; South Bay is a reflection of us.”
Bronny’s dual-league journey offers a glimpse into the Lakers‘ long-term vision for the young player, showcasing their commitment to shaping his career both on and off the court.
