The noise around the Lakers is always loud, but lately, it's basically been a deafening roar centered on one person. And no, for once it isn't LeBron. Everyone is asking the same thing: is Bronny going to the G League? Honestly, the answer isn't just a simple yes or no—it’s a "he's already there, but with a twist."
As of January 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially moved Bronny James to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. This wasn't a sudden "demotion" in the traditional sense. It was a calculated roster move that happened right around the time LeBron James returned to the lineup after dealing with a nasty bout of sciatica that kept him sidelined for 14 games. When the "Big Team" got healthy, the rotation minutes for a developing 21-year-old guard simply evaporated.
The Reality of the South Bay Assignment
If you’ve been following the box scores, you know the NBA stats haven't been pretty. We’re talking about a guy averaging roughly 2.1 points and 1.8 assists in limited NBA action this season. He’s been shooting under 30% from the floor. You can’t survive in JJ Redick’s system with those numbers, especially when the Lakers are fighting for a top-six seed in the West to avoid the Play-In tournament.
Redick has been blunt. There was even a clip that went viral recently where he was seen absolutely lighting into Bronny during a game against the Bucks. The message? "Shoot the ball."
Bronny was playing hesitant. He was playing "safe" basketball, which, in the pros, is often the most dangerous way to play because it makes you invisible. By sending him to El Segundo to play for South Bay, the Lakers are trying to force him to be "the guy" again.
Why the G League is Bronny's Best Friend Right Now
Look, the G League gets a bad rap as a place where careers go to die. That’s old-school thinking. For a player like Bronny, who didn't have a massive collegiate runway at USC due to his heart health scare, these reps are everything.
In the G League, Bronny actually looks like a different player.
- Offensive Volume: Last season with South Bay, he was dropping nearly 22 points a night.
- Playmaking: He averaged over 5 assists, showing he can actually run an offense when he’s not looking over his shoulder at LeBron or Anthony Davis.
- Efficiency: His shooting percentages in the G League hover in the mid-40s, compared to the struggling 29% he’s shown in the NBA.
The Lakers' plan is pretty transparent: they want him to build "muscle memory" for being aggressive. JJ Redick mentioned in a recent presser that he wants Bronny to develop a ".5 mentality"—meaning he either shoots, passes, or drives within half a second of catching the ball. No more overthinking. No more pump-faking into a contested mid-range jumper.
Competition is Getting Crowded
It's not just about Bronny's development, though. The Lakers are a business, and they’re trying to win now. They recently signed Kobe Bufkin, a former first-round pick who has been tearing up the G League, to a 10-day contract. They’ve also been giving significant minutes to Nick Smith Jr., who has basically doubled Bronny's playing time recently.
When you see the front office bringing in guys like Bufkin, it sends a loud signal. Bronny isn't just competing against his own shooting slump; he’s competing against hungry guards who don't have the "James" name to fall back on. He has to prove he’s more than a defensive specialist.
What to Expect Next
Is he going to stay in the G League for the rest of the 2026 season? Probably not exclusively.
The Lakers have been "yo-yoing" him. He’ll likely spend his weekends headlining South Bay games to get those 35-minute workloads, then sit on the bench for the Lakers' national TV games. It’s a hybrid development plan that keeps him close to the NBA lifestyle while ensuring he doesn't rot on the bench.
If you're a fan or a critic, the thing to watch isn't the points. Watch his shot attempts. If he’s taking 15+ shots a game in the G League, the assignment is working. If he’s still deferred to other players, then we might be looking at a much longer stint in the developmental ranks.
Practical Insights for Following the Transition:
- Check the South Bay Schedule: Most of Bronny’s actual basketball growth is happening at the UCLA Health Training Center, not Crypto.com Arena.
- Monitor Defensive Win Shares: Even when his shot isn't falling, his defensive rotations have been elite. That is his "calling card" to get back into Redick's rotation.
- Ignore the "Demotion" Narratives: In the modern NBA, the G League is used like Triple-A baseball. It’s a tool, not a punishment.
The path for Bronny James is currently paved through South Bay. It's the only place where he can fail, learn, and shoot 1-for-12 without it becoming a week-long cycle on sports talk radio. Whether he can turn those reps into a permanent NBA rotation spot remains the biggest question of the 2026 season.
👉 See also: Why the Malice at the Palace Documentary Finally Sets the Record Straight
Next Steps for Tracking Bronny's Progress
To get a real sense of whether this G League stint is working, you should keep a close eye on his Usage Rate and Three-Point Percentage over his next five starts with the South Bay Lakers. These two metrics will reveal if he is actually adopting the aggressive "off-ball" mentality JJ Redick is demanding or if he is still playing too cautiously. Additionally, monitor the Lakers' injury report regarding Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent; their health status will likely dictate exactly when the front office decides to recall Bronny to the main roster for another stint.