Sources – Bronny James starts Lakers-G League split after trip

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James is expected to join the team on the team’s upcoming road trip from October 28th to November 28th. 6 and then begin shuttling between the active roster and the franchise’s affiliate, the South Bay G League, sources told ESPN on Friday.

The Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season opener on Tuesday, making history as LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to ever play in an NBA game together. LA next faces the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night (ESPN) and then hosts the Sacramento Kings on Saturday before traveling to Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto, Detroit and Memphis.

LeBron, of course, spent 11 of his first 21 years in the league with the Cavaliers. He was about to begin his second season with the Cavs when Bronny was born in Akron, Ohio, on Oct. 6, 2004, making for a momentous event when the Jameses return there next Wednesday.

The G League draft takes place on Saturday and team training camps run through November 7th.

While Bronny James and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, discussed the development with NBA teams during his predraft process, sources told ESPN that the G League concept was welcomed. Those sources said Paul argued for a standard contract – rather than a two-way deal – during the pre-draft period, making it clear that he and Bronny, selected by LA in the second round with the No. 55 pick, procedures are fully aware of the development and open to it.

When LeBron made his first comments about plans for Bronny’s rookie season at media day last month, he talked about how in tune the Lakers are with their G League affiliate.

“Only [looking forward to] “I see him continuing to grow as a basketball player, whether he’s here with us or with the G League team, and he’s just getting better and better,” said LeBron. “His job is to put the work in and get better and better, just like the rest of us. And we want to hold him accountable, and he will hold us accountable. And when we all do that, we all get better because we are all a team. We are a reflection of the South Bay; South Bay is a reflection of who we are.”

It is typical for players selected in the mid-to-late second round to spend time in the G League, receiving opportunities, coaching, reps and structure within their respective teams’ programs. During the 2023-24 season, 23 of the 28 players selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft spent time in the G League.

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, and coach JJ Redick have both spoken about creating the right synergies around the Lakers and their South Bay squad.

Redick, who was hired with no prior head coaching experience in part because he was selling his vision of establishing an elite player development program for LA, has stated that Bronny’s background will be the first chance for him to implement his approach.

“As we prioritize player development, we see Bronny as case study one because his fundamental feel, athleticism, point-of-defense attack, shooting and passing have a lot to like about his game,” said Redick in July. “And as we expand our player development program holistically, he will have a great opportunity to become an outstanding NBA player.”

South Bay also has a new coach this season: LA hired Zach Guthrie last month to replace Dane Johnson.