Within the Lakers’ season opener towards the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, Bronny and LeBron James made league historical past by changing into the primary father-son duo to play in an NBA recreation on the similar time. Workforce 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 is not uncommon that just a few gamers drafted within the second spherical can spend time within the G League to be able to construct on their NBA growth and hone their skills inside their respective membership applications.
For instance, in the course of 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 12 months’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 finest shot within the G-League. You realize youngsters are gonna go at him… It is a nice alternative to go show himself.”
Chandler Parsons on Bronny James going to the G-League 👀
(through @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/DVv6xGwCfh
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 8, 2024
Again in July, Redick anticipated what the strategy can be. “For us, prioritizing participant growth, we view Bronny as like, case research one, as a result of his base degree of really feel, athleticism, point-of-attack defender, capturing, passing, there’s lots to love about his recreation,” the rookie coach informed ESPN reporters this previous summer time.
“And as we form of construct out our participant growth program holistically, he’s going to have a fantastic alternative to turn out 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 of all through his pre-draft course of that he would finally find yourself enjoying within the G League till he gained extra expertise.
In line with Shams Charania’s sources, Paul negotiated for the standard contract as an alternative of a two-way deal earlier than the draft, simply as he and his shopper have been nonetheless totally open to the event course of. Let’s keep in mind 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 turn out to be eligible for the postseason is that if a membership modifications 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 costlier than standard
Bronny already has a date for his debut with the South Bay Lakers, who’re set to play on the UCLA Well being Coaching Middle in El Segundo, California, this weekend. In line with Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Occasions, Saturday’s match towards 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 usually are not 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 house 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 at present averaging 1.0 factors, 0.5 assists and 0.3 rebounds per contest whereas capturing at 16.7% from the sector. The G League ought to function the right alternative for him to tune up and make important developments as he hopes appears to settle within the NBA for good at some point.
