After a rough start to his NBA career in Summer League play, Lakers guard Bronny James may begin the upcoming season in the G League, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. James was in the spotlight on Friday during his first game in Las Vegas, where a partisan Lakers crowd cheered every positive thing he did. However, the shooting woes he experienced during the California Classic continued, as he was held to eight points while going 3-of-14 from the field and missing all eight of his three-point attempts.
“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play, no matter what level I’m playing at,” James responded when asked about the possibility of playing in the G League.
McMenamin notes that James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, seemed opposed to a G League assignment when he warned teams not to draft his client if they planned to offer a two-way contract. James received a standard four-year deal from L.A., but he may need time to develop his game before being ready for the NBA.
Summer League coach Dane Johnson, who also guides the South Bay Lakers, indicated that no discussions have taken place about where James will start the season.
“I don’t know about that yet, so I can’t really comment on that,” Johnson told reporters. “But I think all these guys are going to be in the G League at some point — the draftees.”
There’s more on the two L.A. teams:
- J.J. Redick joined his former ESPN broadcast partners during Friday’s game to explain why he decided to become the Lakers‘ head coach, relays Jacob Rude of Silver Screen and Roll. Redick said he felt a “calling to coach” and he wanted to test himself in a “high stakes, high pressure” environment. “The other part of it is,” Redick added, “in my retirement, I realized what gives me fulfillment and what gives me drive and motivation and that’s competition, that’s performance, that’s collaboration, being part of a team … the other parts of that are leadership and service. I said this in my press conference, like a big driving factor in this for me is I just want to help people. I want to help players. I want to help coaches. I want to empower people. I, obviously, want to help this Lakers organization get back to the top.”
- After scoring 36 points Friday night, Jordan Miller said his goal is to earn a standard contract with the Clippers, per Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). The 24-year-old wing played on a two-way deal last season and earned All-Rookie honors in the G League.
- Long-time NBA player Amir Johnson is working with the Clippers this summer to help develop the team’s prospects, Murray tweets.
Bronny isnt an NBA player, he is a G-League player.
I’m not sure. The G League can be a tough one to shine in. This could be a disaster.
Especially when he’ll still be under a much bigger spotlight there than G-League players typically are. Feel bad for the kid.
Of course, if LeBron and/or Paul get there way and he ends up making the main roster, that would be 10x worse and just go to show they aren’t seriously invested in his future as a basketball player.
He already made the main roster lol he signed a refular contract with them
Bronny is an NBA player, he just isn’t his father. No one will be. He can contribute as a role player, though. No one would be crushing this poor guy if his last name wasn’t James.
Talk about vague. Scouts almost unanimously agreed he shouldn’t have been a draft pick this year. He had a disaster season for a college team and there are probably 50 guys who could better fill out a roster spot for “role playing” that would have cost only a 2-way contract at most.
He’s rebounding and generating steals, or do those not have any value? Everything doesn’t have to be about scoring. I don’t think he starts the season on the Lakers, but IF he did, he wouldn’t be the guy taking the shots.
There could be 50 guys that could provide the same skills, and maybe there isn’t. Everything is a lottery ticket when you’re talking about second round picks. There aren’t 50 guys that can do it while selling jerseys and tickets though, I guarantee you.
First round picks are lottery tickets also. Most don’t usually work out. Even some 1st overall picks don’t make it…
Most sons of NBA players don’t work out nd never play in the NBA. Even with the best DNA doesn’t make them a NBA player or even college player. Not playing in the G league and learning the system will stunt his growth of becoming a better player. The worse thing is for him to start the season on the bench as a garbage time player.
He’s not an NBA player. He isn’t ready. He should’ve stay in school for another year & develop. He had a rough first season beginning with his heart condition & then never really getting going at USC. If he stayed at USC, he would’ve had the opportunity to grow his game. Now, he’s going to struggle with a huge spotlight on him.
Word I got from an older coach in his hometown is that his younger brother has amazing talent. Can be a big star.
Word you got? That information is already widely known.
May be a G league player. Should be will be a G league player. He is not ready for the NBA and it will ruin him sitting on the bench only playing in blow outs. So keep him in the G league to learn the system and play a lot.
Honestly I feel bad for Bronny. USC tried letting him play off the ball(he couldn’t shot) they tried making him a PG(who was brutal). He is a PG body(who thinks he can shoot). LeBron ego forced lakers to draft him when Bronny clearly wanted away from dad shadow. Now lakers are stuck with a non nba player on an nba contract who needs to develop in the G-league(even then he most likely will not be good enough to play in the nba). Paul and LeBron screwed this up with demands on a player who clearly isn’t good enough for demands to be made.
They paid him properly, but not because of the playing skills but marketing. From only jersey sales they almost earned 100mil. This will keep going for few months more. It is all about the money after all.
Who’s they? The NBA shares revenues.
Averaged 2 pts in college
5pts in SL has not hit a 3
He is not an NBA guy yet if ever. Just have him play Gleague
Sounds like Stephen A Smith Jr
You’re totally 100% correct… ONE more thing…. He had a heart malfunction, the pressure of everything Lakers, Lebron’s son, a normal family wouldn’t have their son playing basketball after medical heart situation, even if he was medically cleared. As a fan watching summer league, he had a nice steal, a few transition plays… unfortunately a non factor as a player so far, with no clear dominant skill or upside quality…shooting 3 for 14, missed all 3!point attempts…. GREAT KID….
Update, Bronny 6 for 26 shooting in 3 summer league games… can he be a a future Gary Payton III, Alex Caruso…. A defensive 3 and D, 2 guard… only 6’1”, gotta be able to shoot 3 at 36%-39%… He’s a great well mannered kid… he doesn’t deserve to be thrust into this coming from a heart malfunction…should have gone back to USC for another year, then G League…
It’s funny that Rich Paul threatened other teams that Bronny would sign with a team in the Australian NBL if another team drafts him. Bronny wouldn’t touch the floor for one second in the Australian league. He could maybe play in the second division in Austria or the Netherlands.
Redick left out that he is making 8 mil per year to “help people.” What a bunch of poppycock!
Honestly with his burgeoning TV/podcast career, coupled with his already generational wealth, it better be a high paying salary for the amount of scrutiny and pressure he’s about to endure.
Bronny’s stroke looks good sometimes. It is easier to learn to shoot than is to play D. He will be fine with reps and coaching. I am sure he feels the pressure too.
Great take. Defense has value. Some people want to try to spin it as if he can’t play at all, but he’s just struggling with making baskets. That’s correctable. Even if he never becomes a great scorer, a defensive guy with a good motor and attitude is worth a roster spot.
This is not going to be easy. Even another kid with Incredible athleticism, the son of an NBA player, pretty good basketball knowledge but lacking basketball skills such as handles, creating your own offense from the wing or creating for others, pull up jumpers, whatever.
It took this kid until he was almost 30 to land a regular contract and become a valuable rotation player by seasons end on a great team.
I’m talking about Gary Payton 2. Bronny has has four to six years of very hard work ahead of him before I think he can get a regular spot and be a rotation player in the NBA.
And that’s IF he has the athleticism at 6-1 like Gary Payton does to soar above the Rim for put backs, key rebounds in traffic, etc. The little things.
Lakers need to start Bronny at point guard and play him 30 minutes a game to develop his skills. LeBron should insist on this … ok, ok, I’m a Warriors fan …
Who cares about Lebron James Jr. Let’s talk about Jordan Miller
The gift that keeps on giving, man lakers stink. JJ I felt a calling…..lmfao. yeah the $8 million per and inevitable buyout coming your way. Bronny couldn’t play ABA in Australia, that’s under the NBL. Alot better college players than Bronny have failed miserably. Shouldn’t even be on a two way deal, he’s nowhere near nba level, never will be. What happened to Bron taking a paycut at 40? Instead on the worse contract in the league. The best laker summer ever for a Celtics fan. The lunatics are running the asylum. All the usual BS reports that for the most part aren’t even possible have been extremely enjoyable. You’ve had how long since Denver and this is the off season you have? Hahahahaha hahahahaha if Silver thought getting L.A into the playoffs and winning the in season tournament the season gone was tough, he maybe in for a little shock this upcoming season. Worst team in their division, not even close. Hey, can you gamble on free throw discrepancies in the States lol. If L.A are anything but a high draft pick, Adam Silver truly is the GOAT.
Bronny new nickname is bricks. From now on refer to him as bricks.