Bronny James to make G League debut with South Bay Lakers

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie Bronny James Jr. to the G League beginning this weekend. 

The move comes about two weeks after he and his dad, LeBron James Sr., made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play in an NBA regular-season game. The news of the demotion should not serve as much of a surprise in the NBA circles as there were reports, as early as October 25, saying Bronny James was expected to be sent down to the South Bay Lakers, the Purple and Gold's G-League affiliate.

An earlier report indicated the rookie would split his time between the LA and South Bay Lakers as he continues to develop in the league.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bronny James to start playing in G League after Lakers’ 1st road trip of season: report

It is not uncommon for rookies and second-year players to split their time between the G League and NBA.

In four games to start his NBA career, the younger James averaged less than 3.5 minutes a game with a single point per game, 0.5 assist per game and 0.3 rebound per game. The 2024 second-round draft pick turned 20 years old in October of this year, so he still has plenty of time to develop his game and possibly play his way back into NBA Lakers head coach JJ Redick's rotation at some point in the 2024-2025 NBA season.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bronny and LeBron James make NBA history as league's first father-son duo