The Los Angeles Lakers have won 103 regular-season games and a playoff series in JJ Redick’s first two seasons as head coach, but Bronny James’ lack of offensive development underscores why the head coach needs to focus more on that aspect. Every dollar counts in the second apron era. The Lakers can’t just build through free agency and trades. They need contributors on rookie-scale contracts. That is the one missing piece from Redick, as none of the young players are developing.
James has had a disastrous preseason. The 22-year-old has gotten additional opportunities with Collin Sexton out and squandered them. He is coming off his worst game where he had zero points, zero assists, and four turnovers in 11 minutes of action. The Lakers are using Bronny as a point guard, despite no evidence he can actually play that position.
Growth isn’t linear for young talent. It takes time, and there are setbacks. James showed an improved jumper in a limited sample last season, but he can’t buy a basket in the preseason. He is shooting 26.7 percent from the field and 14.3 percent on his 3-point attempts over the four games. The Lakers have played him more as a point guard than a shooter, which makes things even more baffling.
Bronny James doesn’t have an offensive role
The Lakers drafted Bronny James in the second round in 2024. The hit rate on those prospects isn’t high, and the 6’2 guard needed time, but he was one of only a few developmental players on LA's roster. Bronny barely saw the floor as a rookie and played primarily as a point guard in the G League. He got more NBA reps last season, but still wasn’t part of the rotation. James was used more off the ball in year two. Now, he’s a point guard again.
Bronny doesn’t have an offensive role. He made 37.9 percent of his 158 3-point attempts last season when combining his NBA and G League production. That is a start, but he is undersized and hesitates to fire away in an off-ball role. James isn’t a primary creator and struggles finishing inside. The list of cons outweighs the pros right now.
The Lakers need to choose an offensive role and develop Bronny into it. He can’t be a point guard and an off-ball player. Los Angeles wants Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves running the show. Being a secondary creator that plays primarily off the ball makes the most sense, but Redick has to give him reps and define success in that role.
JJ Redick doesn’t seem to have a coherent plan to develop Bronny James
Bronny has the work ethic. He is often the last one on the floor after practice. There is no questioning his professionalism or work ethic, but 22-year-old second-round picks don’t just reach their ceiling without a plan of development.
This is a failure by Redick and his staff. They need a clear ideal role for James and a plan to grow him into it. Otherwise, the Lakers are wasting this roster spot. Bronny isn’t ready to help a contending roster right now. His preseason struggles have fans wondering if he should be cut before the opener.
The Lakers need Bronny to grow into a rotation piece, or it is time to move on. He is one of just four players on LA’s roster under 25 years old. They don’t have many players to develop, and James isn’t the only one Redick is failing.
Bronny James isn’t the only young Laker who isn’t growing his game
The Lakers drafted Dalton Knecht in the first round in the same draft as Bronny, and he looks to finished in the NBA. Knecht never improved his defense and struggled to translate his elite scoring from college to the NBA. That may just be bad drafting by Rob Pelinka, but if any coach could develop a shooter, it should be Redick after his 15-year career as an elite marksman.
Adou Thiero had the defense when the Lakers drafted him, and fans have not seen his offensive game blossom. LA should be working on his jump shot and finding ways for the 6’7 forward to use his athleticism. He has yet to make a 3-pointer this preseason and is averaging just 5.3 points in 18.4 minutes per game.
Cameron Carr looks promising, but the Lakers just drafted him in the first round this summer. He is the contributor Los Angeles needs on a rookie-scale contract for the next four years. It is exactly why Redick must focus more on developing talent.
Even the talent on two-way contracts has failed to pop this preseason. The Los Angeles Lakers need to develop young talent to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. Rob Pelinka has given head coach JJ Redick a handful of players to work with. There needs to be more focus here and a plan to maximize them.
It isn’t working with Bronny James or anyone else in Redick’s first two years. This must improve if the Lakers want to hang banner 18. Hopefully, this season is the start of the change.
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