Within the Lakers’ season opener in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, Bronny and LeBron James made league historical past by turning into the primary father-son duo to play in an NBA recreation on the similar time. Staff coach JJ Redick then mentioned final month that the “plan for Bronny to maneuver between the Lakers and South Bay has at all times been the plan since day one.”
“[General manager] Rob [Pelinka] and I’ve talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that,” the tactician then added, as it’s common that a couple of gamers drafted within the second spherical can spend time within the G League with a purpose to construct on their NBA improvement and hone their skills inside their respective membership packages.
For instance, through the previous marketing campaign, 23 of the 28 gamers chosen within the second spherical of the 2023 draft hung out within the G League. Bronny, who was the fifty fifth choice on this yr’s choice, has already appeared in 4 video games this season for the purple and gold.
“The robust half and good half is he is gonna get everybody’s greatest shot within the G-League. You understand youngsters are gonna go at him… This can be a nice alternative to go show himself.”
Chandler Parsons on Bronny James going to the G-League 👀
(by way of @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/DVv6xGwCfh
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 8, 2024
Again in July, Redick anticipated what the strategy could be. “For us, prioritizing participant improvement, we view Bronny as like, case examine one, as a result of his base stage of really feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defender, taking pictures, passing, there’s loads to love about his recreation,” the rookie coach instructed ESPN reporters this previous summer time.
“And as we form of construct out our participant improvement program holistically, he’s going to have an ideal alternative to grow to be a wonderful NBA participant,” JJ mentioned in regards to the participant that solely performed 25 video games (six begins) at USC, averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 19.3 minutes per match.
Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul, who serves because the consultant of each Bronny and LeBron, had already thought-about all through his pre-draft course of that he would ultimately find yourself taking part in within the G League till he gained extra expertise.
In keeping with Shams Charania’s sources, Paul negotiated for the standard contract as a substitute of a two-way deal earlier than the draft, simply as he and his consumer had been nonetheless absolutely open to the event course of. Let’s do not forget that every NBA staff can signal a most of three gamers to two-way contracts, with Christian Koloko, Armel Traore, and Quincy Olivari aiming to occupy the Lakers’ two-way spots.
Nonetheless, an essential factor to think about is that two-way gamers are ineligible for the NBA playoffs. The one exception for a two-way signing to grow to be eligible for the postseason is that if a membership adjustments the two-way deal into a normal contract.
The Lakers rookie’s G-League debut appears to be already offered out regardless of the costs being dearer than traditional
Bronny already has a date for his debut with the South Bay Lakers, who’re set to play on the UCLA Well being Coaching Heart in El Segundo, California, this weekend. In keeping with Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Instances, Saturday’s match in opposition to the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars is already offered out.
The information surfaced as an enormous shock, particularly contemplating that the tickets on the secondary market will not be going for lower than $200, that are shockingly costly. At this level, James Jr. is predicted to shuttle between the NBA and the G-League, however solely taking part in dwelling video games for the South Bay.
The technique can be that the younger ahead ought to be again in Los Angeles alongside LeBron in varied moments all through the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Up so far, the 20-year-old has already featured in 4 of the purple and gold’s first eight matches.
Bronny is presently averaging 1.0 factors, 0.5 assists and 0.3 rebounds per contest whereas taking pictures at 16.7% from the sphere. The G League ought to function the right alternative for him to tune up and make vital developments as he hopes appears to be like to settle within the NBA for good at some point.
