Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is known to be brutally honest with his players. That much has been further proven by the scathing review he offered for Bronny James in regard to how the third-year guard has played during the preseason, with one particular comment standing out: "I don't think he's played well."
Redick's comments weren't entirely negative, but they point to a simple reality: James still isn't playing at an NBA-caliber level. Unfortunately, he's also the only point guard in the Lakers' developmental pipeline. With this in mind, something must change on the NBA Draft front.
James, 22, was selected at No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Now preparing for his third NBA season, James has been something of a project for Redick and his developmental team. Unfortunately, it's becoming less likely by the year that said project will receive a passing grade.
The most recent development on that front was Redick telling reporters that James hasn't played well during the preseason, although he has been encouraged by what he's seen in practice.
"I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us. I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices. Some of it's just rhythm, some of it's who he's playing with. He's played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games with our two-way guys. Some of it is the group he's with is not necessarily setting him up for success."
James still has time to turn things around, of course, but the fact that he's the Lakers' only noteworthy developing talent at his position is a testament to how they've mismanaged the draft.
Lakers can't keep devaluing NBA Draft if they want to sustain winning
The Lakers made progress on the NBA Draft front by selecting wings Cameron Carr in the first round in 2026 and Adou Thiero early in the second round in 2025. Both players have been featured fairly prominently during the preseason and project to have meaningful roles in 2026-27. In saying that, both remain unproven in the Association.
Unfortunately, the only other players on the roster who are under 25 and project to have some kind of role in the rotation are Jaden Hardy, James, and Jake LaRavia.
Los Angeles has gotten younger and more athletic, which should help it win with a stronger degree of sustainability. In saying that, LaRavia is on an expiring contract, Hardy has the same type of defensive concerns as once-promising swingman Dalton Knecht, and James isn't necessarily a lock for the rotation.
That puts a great deal of pressure on Carr and Thiero to live up to their potential and at least become NBA-caliber contributors to provide depth along the wings.
To make matters worse, the Lakers have two first-round draft picks and no second-round selections between 2027 and 2030. They'll have a second-rounder but no first-round choice in 2031 before starting to get back to normal in 2032.
With this in mind, the Lakers should be doing what they can to not only protect the few picks they have, but acquire more to build true developmental depth and avoid spending another three years relying on uncertainties like James.
Lakers need team-friendly salaries, developable talent
With a stronger roster of up-and-coming players on rookie-scale deals, the Lakers wouldn't have much to worry about on the James front. Their backup point guard, Collin Sexton, will be eligible for free agency in 2027, however, and they don't have a single proven up-and-comer on a multi-year team-friendly salary—at any position.
That's a difficult truth to stomach when one considers that Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Austin Reaves will make a combined $155,016,819 in 2027-28.
Furthermore, Jarred Vanderbilt is unlikely to receive better offers than the near $13.3 million he'll make if he accepts his player option. With more than $168 million already allotted to six players on the projected 2027-28 roster, having team-friendly salaries is an absolute necessity.
Los Angeles got somewhat lucky that players like Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams were available for minimum contracts, and that Sexton was in low-cost territory. They may not be as fortunate next year.
Bronny James still has time, but the Lakers need depth in development
Look around the NBA at the best teams and there's a fairly common trend of depth in the developmental system. The champion New York Knicks are an obvious exception and admittedly fair counterpoint, but they're also battling the second apron and losing talent.
At the top of the Western Conference, teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have a surplus of up-and-coming players who can all but cancel out the negative impact of one of their teammates failing to live up to exceptations.
Los Angeles lacks that luxury due to years of NBA Draft neglect. James is by no means to blame for that reality, but Redick's review of his play during the preseason is yet another example of how limited the Lakers' options are in regard to cost-efficient talent that can be developed within the system.
As James' NBA development hits another roadblock, it's hard to ignore how limited the Lakers' options are beyond him as they search for guard depth along a limited pipeline.
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