Bronny James was called from Los Angeles Lakers“The G League affiliate will join the NBA team for Monday’s match against the Detroit Pistons. The decision was made Sunday evening, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
James is averaging 13.4 points (shooting 21% on 3s), 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in seven games. for the South Bay Lakers. In two games in Orlando for the G League Winter Showcase, he averaged 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.
One of the main reasons James was called up could be that South Bay won’t have another game until Friday. (His next home game is Jan. 7.) Playing time is critical in his development, so giving him some minutes — even if it’s just a few — during the Lakers’ next two games could be considered beneficial.
Plus, the Lakers might just need a few more bodies. Bronny’s father LeBron is listed as questionable on team injury report with left foot injury management.
The original plan for James apparently was that he would not play in road games for South Bay. However, he played in the team’s last four games – two in Phoenix on Thursday and Friday, followed by two in Orlando on Saturday and Sunday.
Bronny James does it all!
Gives assists to find his teammates, then is rewarded with a wide open 3 for himself 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/9wswSYwixQ
– LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) December 19, 2024
Being called up by the Lakers isn’t necessarily an endorsement of James’ recent play in the G League. The consensus among scouts is that the 20-year-old rookie still needs to work on many aspects of his game, Stein Reports.
“The unanimous opinion I heard while watching the scouts at the Showcase is that James needs as much time in the G League as possible,” Stein reported, “to improve all aspects of his point guard game, from his ground game to (in particular) his ability to make shots.”
Bronny dealt with a bone bruise on the left heeland the Lakers have been especially cautious about this injury, as he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the same leg when he was in high school.
Earlier this season, Bronny played in seven games for Los Angeles, averaging 0.6 points and 0.3 assists in 2.6 minutes per game.
