The Los Angeles Lakers are finally realizing Bronny James is not ready for the NBA after watching him struggle in the G League. The 20-year-old guard got a few NBA opportunities early in the season, but failed to impress in any of them. Bronny averaged just 10.2 minutes per game and shot 28.6 percent from the field. He wasn’t getting extended run and was making head coach JJ Redick look downright ridiculous.
The Lakers finally demoted him to the G League for two games, but the results weren’t much better. He shot 38.1 percent from the field and 23.1 percent on his 3-point attempts. Bronny was used much more on the ball, but it didn’t help his shooting efficiency.
LeBron’s son won’t have the ball in his hands for the Lakers. They have Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and his father to run the show. Gabe Vincent is also ahead of Bronny in the ball-handling pecking order. The 21-year-old needs to thrive as a shooter and defender to play for the Lakers, but he doesn’t fit that mold.
Lakers are realizing Bronny James isn’t ready for the NBA
James has taken 182 3-point attempts when combining his NBA and G League stats in his first two seasons, but he has only made them at a 31.3 percent clip. The Lakers have title aspirations. They don’t want to have an inexperienced 21-year-old running the show. If he can’t knock down open shots, the Lakers can’t trust him to be on the floor.
Bronny averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals during his first two games with South Bay in this year’s Tip-Off Tournament. Those numbers are strong, but not what fans want to see from an NBA player in a lesser league. At minimum, the Lakers wanted more efficiency and defense in the tiny sample.
NBA players dominate the G League. Bronny certainly isn’t doing that. He produced 0.0 win shares and sits at 0.033 win shares per 48 minutes, with 0.100 being the league average. The former second-round draft pick has been below league average in the developmental league.
Lakers fans who watch the games know James isn’t ready. The Lakers are 7.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the bench this season. He has struggled to make shots and even turned down some open looks. Confidence is a must in the NBA, and Bronny just doesn’t have it yet.
There is still hope. The 6’2 guard just turned 21. He is years away from his prime and already a fan favorite. Bronny James will keep getting opportunities on name value alone. Fans know he is working on his craft. James isn’t NBA-ready, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get there.
Los Angeles Lakers fans would love to see Bronny James blossom into a nightly rotation player. It won’t happen quickly, but the talent is there. He isn’t ready for the bright lights right now. The Lakers need to let James play in the G League this season and get those valuable reps. His development is important, and the Lakers are realizing that is exactly what he needs.