The Los Angeles Lakers gave Bronny James a shot to earn a larger role in the preseason, but he failed the audition. Collin Sexton was out, so the franchise needed a backup point guard. Bronny got the first shot, but his offensive issues were on full display. The Lakers went without a reserve point guard entirely in the season opener because Sexton wasn't ready. Bronny clearly lost some of head coach JJ Redick's trust, and it keeps getting worse.
Coach Redick has only played him for 11 minutes in the first eight regular-season games. There have been opportunities to go deeper into the bench, but Bronny has only played in garbage time. Even there, he was part of the group that nearly blew a 14-point edge in the final two minutes against the Raptors. Coach Redick was forced to return to his starters and didn't trust the deep reserves until there was a minute in the blowout win over the Heat.
Redick can't even trust Bronny in garbage time. The 22-year-old is buried at the end of the bench and appears to be the 15th man on the roster. Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero are the only two players with fewer minutes than James, and both have missed time with injury. Bronny has to rebuild Redick's trust to have any shot at playing.
Bronny James must find an offensive role
Coach Redick criticized the entire group on the floor that nearly blew a massive lead to Toronto in the final two minutes.
“I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll leave the guys in. You’ve got to play until the final buzzer, and if guys are not ready to play, I just won’t put them in.”
James was the first player of that group to enter with 2:28 remaining in the game. He replaced Luka Doncic and was clearly supposed to be the lead ball-handler. Redick left Quentin Grimes on the floor and turned to Jaden Hardy, Cameron Carr, and Jared Vanderbilt 39 seconds later. They were up 14, and one minute later Toronto cut the lead to six. Redick was forced to go back to his starters to ensure LA got the win.
He didn't single out Bronny, but Redick was clearly upset with the group. It continued a trend Lakers fans have seen since the preseason. The head coach trusted Bronny to start the year. He was ahead of Jaden Hardy and Chris Manon until the fourth preseason game. James struggled in the first three, so Redick searched for other options.
Being unable to execute in garbage time is an even bigger problem. If Bronny can't be trusted with the game virtually in hand, there is no way Redick will put him in the rotation. James has to step up whenever his number is called to earn that trust back.
Bronny James has to execute the game plan
Redick admitted he wasn't calling plays. All the five on the floor had to do was move the ball, drain the clock, and get a couple stops. Toronto had stolen back the momentum before Bronny entered. They went from down 20 to start the fourth to within 14. The Lakers just wanted the reserves to end the game, but they were struggling to even inbound the ball.
The worst thing Bronny can do is press. He needs to play within himself and execute whatever role the Lakers are giving him. He is a hard worker. James is eager to prove he is an NBA player and not just in the league because of his famous father. He has to remember that he is a role player. Trying to be the star or do too much is a problem.
The Lakers want Bronny to be a point guard. They keep giving him on-ball opportunities, despite his struggles in that role. James needs to execute the offense and set up his teammates. Be the point guard and lead creator. Don't try to do too much.
Bronny James must lock in defensively to overcome his issues
James is a 6'2 guard with clear defensive limitations. The Lakers know this, so they are trying to maximize him by making him a more aggressive defender. They want him guarding 94 feet and creating havoc for the offense.
Bronny has struggled to fill that role and makes it worse by having issues defending off the ball. The young guard gets caught ball-watching too often. He has been a liability on this end of the floor, and head coach JJ Redick can't even trust him to be a solid team defender, even when he's having issues stopping his man.
The Lakers have envisioned him becoming TJ McConnell or Davion Mitchell since they drafted him. They don't expect Bronny to be a superstar or lockdown defender. He needs to bring energy, make plays, and be a productive role player. That starts by performing when given an opportunity.
Bronny James has to embrace his role every time he takes the floor to regain JJ Redick's trust. The Los Angeles Lakers picked up his team option and kept him over Dalton Knecht. They see a future. Bronny needs to continue his development and impact the team's success. He can score zero points and still be productive. James, being a factor in his role, will earn back the trust and make him a long-term piece in LA.
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