Lakers Finally Acknowledge What Fans Already Knew About Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to accept a reality that many fans had already reached: Bronny James is not ready for consistent NBA minutes.

The 21-year-old guard opened the season with limited opportunities under head coach JJ Redick, averaging just 10.2 minutes and shooting 28.6% from the field during his early NBA appearances. His lack of offensive impact and hesitation on open looks made it difficult for the coaching staff to trust him with a larger role.

In an effort to accelerate his development, the Lakers assigned Bronny to South Bay for a short two-game stretch. But even there, the efficiency didn’t improve much — he shot 38.1% from the field and 23.1% from three, despite having the ball in his hands more often.

🔍 The Fit Problem in Los Angeles

Bronny’s long-term role with the Lakers remains unclear. With Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Gabe Vincent all above him in the ball-handling hierarchy, Bronny won’t be initiating the offense in Los Angeles anytime soon.

To stick in the rotation, he needs to become a reliable spot-up shooter and defensive guard — but he isn’t there yet. Through 182 three-point attempts across his NBA and G League action, Bronny has connected on just 31.3%.

For a team with championship goals, inconsistent shooting and low usage aren’t enough to stay on the floor.

📉 Advanced Metrics Tell the Same Story

In his early G League minutes this season, Bronny averaged:

• 11.0 points
• 8.0 assists
• 3.5 rebounds
• 1.5 steals

Solid numbers, but not dominant — which is typically expected from NBA players in the developmental league. His 0.033 win shares per 48 minutes remains well below the league-average benchmark of 0.100, reflecting his overall impact.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are 7.3 points per 100 possessions better with Bronny off the floor this season.

🌱 A Long-Term Project, Not a Lost Cause

Despite the early struggles, there is no panic within the organization. Bronny just turned 21 years old, is known for his work ethic, and remains a fan favorite. The Lakers fully expect him to develop — the timeline just isn’t as immediate as some hoped.

The focus now appears to be giving him consistent G League reps, rebuilding his confidence, and allowing him to grow away from the relentless spotlight of NBA expectations.

Bronny may not be ready yet, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get there.