One day after making history with his dad, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James just got his first DNP–Coach’s Decision.
The younger James, who formed part of the first dad-son act in an NBA regular season game on Thursday, rode the bench the entire game against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday and watched the Lakers come back from a 22-point first-half deficit to get a hard-fought 123-116 victory.
Bronny to Cycle Between G League and NBA
Now, the 20-year-old Bronny appears headed to the G League after November 8, when the Lakers conclude a five-game road stand that will begin in Phoenix for a rematch against the Suns (Oct.30), followed by games versus the Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 1), Toronto Raptors (Nov. 3), Detroit Pistons (Nov. 6), and Memphis Grizzlies (Nov. 8).
Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged this was the plan all along.
“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one,” Redick told reporters before the Lakers’ game against the Suns [General manager] Rob [Pelinka] and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that.”
It appears Bronny and his representation, Klutch Sports, are open to this G League stint—and had been from the very beginning as well. However, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, a longtime friend of LeBron, made sure the former USC Trojan would get a standard NBA contract, not a two-way deal as is often the case for players who cycle between the G League and the big league.
Should this plan push through, Bronny will be playing for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, who will begin their season on November 10.
While a demotion, Bronny taking his act to the G League is actually quite normal for players picked in the second round of the NBA Draft (Bronny was drafted 55th by the Lakers. Last season, 23 of 28 second-rounders all spent time in the G League.
