In July, Lakers head coach JJ Redick described Bronny James as “a developmental player” who will occasionally play in the G League to enhance his skills for the NBA.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Zach Lowe asserted that Bronny would play in the Lakers’ opening game on October 22, aiming for him and LeBron James to make history as the first father-son duo in the NBA. Simmons noted that while it’s “the coolest” and “the weirdest” story in the league, it was clear from the Summer League that Bronny wasn’t fully prepared for the pros. He expressed concern that the Lakers might face criticism for forcing Bronny onto the court just to satisfy LeBron.
Simmons highlighted discontent among teammates during the Summer League, where an anonymous player expressed frustration over the focus on Bronny rather than the team. Earlier in the podcast, Lowe mentioned he would be “surprised” if Bronny didn’t spend a significant part of the 2024-2025 season in the G League. However, Lowe’s guarantee of Bronny’s participation on opening night suggests the Lakers are eager to accelerate his progression to the NBA. If they take this path, it could backfire, as the basketball community will be closely watching the Lakers’ game against Minnesota on October 22. If Bronny struggles, it could fuel accusations of “nepotism” against the team.
The Lakers would likely be better off allowing Bronny to develop in the G League before transitioning him to the NBA.