The Los Angeles Lakers have played Bronny James in two straight games, but only because they were blowouts. He has been limited to mop-up duties since drawing a surprise start on Nov. 15. The Lakers even started Nick Smith Jr., who is on a two-way contract, over him against the Suns. They clearly don’t trust Bronny, and Los Angeles must make changes after their recent funk.
The Lakers' defense is atrocious. They have lost four of their last six and have given up an average of 122.5 points per game over that stretch. The struggling Clippers are the only team the purple and gold held to under 114 points. Head coach JJ Redick called out the entire team after their Christmas Day loss and made it clear this can’t continue.
The Lakers need to make changes, but are light on tradeable assets. They have one first-round draft pick, one second-rounder, and a couple of young talents to include in deals. Bronny James is one of those people, and Los Angeles can’t take him off the table if they only trust him to play when the game is already decided.
Bronny James may have already played his last meaningful minutes with the Lakers
LeBron’s son is on the 15-man roster and has $1.2 million guaranteed for next season. The Lakers have had multiple rotation players out in recent games and still haven’t used Bronny in the rotation. He is limited to strictly garbage time, depsite his contract status. James has gotten opportunities in the G League, but that only adds to the concern.
In eight contests with the South Bay Lakers this season, Bronny averages 11.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game. He shot 41.3 percent from the field and 29.5 percent on his 3-point attempts. The 21-year-old had turnover problems and failed to dominate like NBA players do when playing in the developmental league.
Bronny has a negative value over replacement player (VORP) and a negative win shares per 48 minutes in his first 43 games to start his NBA career. He had chances to earn a role this season and failed miserably. James is struggling in the G League and is playing his way off the Lakers.
The 6’2 guard is a fan favorite, but coach Redick has zero trust in him. The Lakers don’t need another ball-handler with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves leading their roster. They need perimeter defense and floor spacing around their three stars. Sadly, Bronny offers neither, which puts him firmly on the chopping block.
The Lakers only have 14 players under contract and are just $1.1 million below the first tax apron, where they are hard-capped. They can’t add in free agency, which puts even more pressure on Rob Pelinka and the front office to make a trade.
The Lakers must make every roster spot count, especially if they want to be serious title contenders. Oklahoma City is one of the deepest teams in NBA history. Los Angeles can’t find eight trusted playoff rotation players right now. Keeping Bronny is hurting the purple and gold. The Western Conference is loaded, so turning the younger James into a player that makes the postseason rotation would be massive.
Don’t be surprised to see the Los Angeles Lakers move on from Bronny James before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. It is the best choice for the franchise, even if it upsets LeBron James and Rich Paul. Fans don’t want to see it, but nobody will complain if it is part of the Lakers becoming a serious title threat. The pressure is on the front office to make it happen.