LOS ANGELES -- After spending the first 15 games of the season with the Los Angeles Lakers, and even starting one game, Bronny James has been designated for assignment with the South Bay Lakers.
The team’s announcement Thursday came as a surprise to many, after the guard’s minutes increased with the Lakers this season, up to 11 in his 10 games played thus far, which included a start against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 15th.
In that game and others this season, Bronny has shown a hesitation to take shots when open, which has led to Coach JJ Redick urging him to shoot the ball and be more aggressive. Regardless of the reason, the move will undoubtedly give Bronny more opportunity with the ball in his hands.
Playing in the G League won’t be new to Bronny, as he shined with the South Bay squad as a rookie, averaging 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He scored a career high 39 points against the Santa Cruz warriors earlier this year on March 24th.
Even with plenty of big league experience now, Bronny will still have to fight for his spot in a talented backcourt group, as South Bay’s number two through five leading scorers on the team are all also guards.
Bronny will join a Laker team that is currently playing at a very high level, jumping out to a 3-1 record led by current G League player of the Week Drew Timme, who leads the league with 28.3 ppg.
The team will also add LA Lakers second round pick in this year’s draft, Adou Thiero, the 6’7 rookie from Arkansas.
Thiero played in two NBA games this season, including scoring his first two career points via a monster dunk on an assist from James in the Bucks game.
The first opportunity for James and Thiero will be tomorrow, as South Bay takes on the Santa Cruz Warriors. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the UCLA Health Training Center.