Bronny James is expected to start splitting time between the Lakers and the G League team after the trip

Joe Reedy

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James is expected to begin splitting time between the Lakers and the team’s G League affiliate, although coach J.J. Reddick said those plans could change.

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

“Our plans are always changing depending on the actual time,” Reddick said Friday before the Lakers’ game against the Phoenix Suns. “I think we have two guys dressing today and we haven’t dressed since yesterday.

“Bronny’s plan to move between the Lakers and South Bay was always the plan from day one. (General Manager) Rob (Pelinka) and I talked about it. LeBron talked about it.”

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

Bronny James played 3 minutes on Tuesday night in Lakers win 110–103 over the Minnesota Timberwolves. In six preseason games, he averaged 4.2 points and 16.2 minutes of playing time.

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

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

“Seeing how he continues to grow as a basketball player, whether he’s here with us or not on the G League team, and he continues 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 be better off because we’re all on the same team. We are a reflection of the South Bay. The South Bay is a reflection of us. … We will continue to grow, accumulating days. I know he’ll do it because that’s what he’s thinking about.”

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NBA AP:

Originally published: October 25, 2024, 9:46 pm