What is the best way for an NBA team to develop a young player? Keep him with the big club, practice with the team, and be exposed to the practice habits and environment of NBA players in generally better facilities? Or, take him to the G-League, where he can get a lot more time on the court, let him play through mistakes that can’t be tolerated at the NBA level, and get him some focused training?
The Lakers share the difference with Bronny James. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN in an episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, he said that Bronny would only play home games with the South Bay Lakers. The Athletic confirmed this. Windhorst was critical of the idea.
“I don’t know whose idea it was, but obviously, the Lakers are fine with it. They’re doing it. In this particular case, I think it went too far, and I don’t think it’s good for Bronny. I don’t think it benefits the South Bay Lakers, and I don’t think it benefits LeBron at this point.”
Windhorst isn’t alone, Bronny’s status has raised a few eyebrows around the league, but it’s also been greeted with plenty of shrugs. As in, what did you expect?
Bronny has played in one South Bay game so far, logging 31 minutes, scoring six points on 2-of-9 shooting (0-of-4 from 3), with four assists and three rebounds. According to Jovan Buha of The AthleticBronny has defended well and looked better with the ball in his hands than he did in Summer League, but that’s still a long way from being the NBA rotation player he wants to be.
The big club vs. G League development debate is not one size fits all, different players need different experiences to grow. Bronny comes with some unique challenges. As ESPN’s Windhorst noted, G-League teams fly commercials through the airports in those cities, doing so with Bronny and his level of celebrity could present challenges.
What matters is what’s best for Bronny. That’s all that matters. Is splitting the difference between fully in the G-League and fully with the big club the best option?
If Bronny needs time on the court to develop faster, then get him time on the court and travel with the South Bay Lakers. If the Laker coaches truly believe what’s best for Bronny’s development is to split time and keep him close to home, then they should do that. While he has a fully guaranteed NBA minimum contract – and will be for two seasons after this one – his game is not at a point where he is helping the big club right now. It won’t be there this season. Is he improving faster and getting closer to his goals by being around his father and the great squad, or is this just to keep LeBron happy because he sees his son around the facilities and at games? None of us on the outside know the answer, but the only thing the Lakers should prioritize is Bronny. They drafted him at No. 55, and they’re paying him. They bet he can become an NBA player, and the Laker must do whatever leads him to that goal.
For now, Bronny will split time and will only be in the G-League when the South Bay Lakers are at home.
