Bronny James headed to G League after dismal start to Lakers season

Bronny James is headed east to California's Coachella Valley, as the Lakers have assigned the third-year player to its G League affiliate.

The team announced the move Thursday, and the 22-year-old, along with teammate Cameron Carr, will suit up for the Coachella Valley Lakers, which begin their season on Friday. This follows the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

James barely factored into the game, logging a single minute. Early on, he hasn't been able to crack regular minutes this season.

Through nine games, James has had cameos in five contests with averages of 2.4 minutes and 0.8 points per game. His most recent productive effort came against the Heat when he chipped in two points and a block in a single minute of play.

Why is Bronny James going to the G League?

Bronny James has seen his minutes decrease drastically from the previous season, wherein he logged 6.7 minutes per game over 27 games in his rookie campaign and 8.9 minutes per game over 42 games the following season, 2025-2026.

James' father, legendary NBA star LeBron James, is no longer with the Lakers. The 41-year-old is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal with a player option.

For the Lakers, the early returns for the roster have been positive. The team is 7-2 and is atop the Pacific Division thanks to inspired play from star Luka Dončić. With eight players averaging 23 minutes or more per game, it's clear James has less opportunity to crack the rotation.

The Coachella Valley Lakers open play at Acrisure Arena on Friday, Nov. 6 vs. the Salt Lake City Stars. Whether the game is a precursor to a brief stint or a more prolonged development period remains to be seen.