In the early parts of the 2025-26 NBA season, JJ Redick appeared willing to experiment with Bronny James having a role in the rotation. The rug got pulled out from under him pretty quickly.
During the first 10 games of the campaign for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny averaged 12.6 minutes per game in seven appearances for Redick's team. Unfortunately for the younger of the two James on the team, the results just left a little too much to be desired.
Averages of 2.6 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game were not going to drive the point home for why Bronny deserved a spot in the rotation. That is especially true with the franchise having aspirations of a championship. Redick was given reason to turn elsewhere.
With the trade deadline having passed, and regular season action set to resume on Thursday after the All-Star break, James might just have his in. Bronny may not be a regular in the rotation during the second half, but he shouldn't be an afterthought altogether.
Bronny James could finally see serious backcourt minutes with the Lakers
The Lakers finally look pretty close to a healthy team heading into the second half of the season. This should mean some real clarity on what the rotations look like.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton should be all but locked as starters (even if Jaxson Hayes has a real case to swipe the starting center spot).
After Rui Hachimura got moved to the second unit, one of Marcus Smart of Jake LaRavia should get expected to fill that fifth starter spot. Should it be Smart, Bronny immediately gets a shot at backup guard minutes.
Granted, that is not guaranteed. Between Doncic, LeBron, Reaves, and Smart, the Lakers have optionality and versatility with who can be their ball-handlers and how they can deploy them. The need to insert a guard for the sake of positional title alone is not there unless value is added.
So, can Bronny actually add value? Situationally, one would argue there should be a good chance of that.
"I'm a tough cookie as they say. I'm going to be alright."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 8, 2025
Bronny James had a game-high 28 PTS (12/23 FG), 6 REB, 3 3PT, 2 AST and was looking real confident in the G-League victorypic.twitter.com/5PQ7SyLRD0
Recent garbage time performances and G League outings have showcased a version of the young guard who has looked more comfortable and poised. Couple that with Bronny's athleticism plus defensive upside and suddenly he begins to look like a much more attractive option off the bench.
Is that a perfect assessment of where James is in his development? No, but it is what is currently available to work with.
While no one would wish this on any player, there will inevitably be times when the Lakers do not have their full cast available during the second half of the season. Those should be the moments Redick could actually look in Bronny's direction. For his part, James will need to overcome a few challenges.
The main one will be showcasing himself as a superior option to Kobe Bufkin.
The Lakers made a loud statement about how they view Bufkin when they bypassed the buyout market to sign their G League guard. That will be Bronny's main competition for real minutes in the situations that call for an extra backcourt option.
Bufkin or Bronny could become the next great debate in Laker land. Realistically, neither will have a massive impact on the 2025-26 season. However, if James intends on being a part of the Lakers' plans beyond this campaign, the time to prove himself will be in those opportunities.