The Los Angeles Lakers are currently enjoying a stellar run, marking their best start to a season since the 2019-20 campaign when they ultimately secured their most recent championship. The primary engine behind this success is Luka Doncic, who is putting up a staggering 34.7 points per game to lead the NBA. This isn’t the first time Doncic has dominated the scoring charts; he accomplished the same feat just two seasons ago in his final full year with Dallas, a run that took him all the way to the Finals before falling to Boston.
However, despite the star power at the top, the Lakers face a glaring issue: their bench. When Doncic, Austin Reaves, or LeBron James aren’t at their best, the rotation offers little support, a deficiency that often proves costly over an 82-game schedule. With the trade deadline on February 5, moves to bolster the depth are almost certainly on the horizon.
Bronny James Struggles in the G League
Amidst the hunt for another ring, one player who has largely fallen out of head coach JJ Redick’s rotation is Bronny James. Since playing nearly 10 minutes in a victory over the Bucks more than a month ago, Bronny has been virtually invisible at the NBA level. The organization decided that his development would be better served with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, but the results on the court have been underwhelming.
In a recent 127-118 win against the San Diego Clippers, James failed to make a significant impact, finishing with just four points, three rebounds, and three assists. His shooting remains a major concern, as he went 2-for-5 from the field and missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.
In stark contrast, teammate Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, stole the show. Knecht dominated with 30 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, earning MVP honors for the game and reminding the front office of the talent currently waiting in the wings.
Why Bronny’s Spotlight is Fading in Los Angeles
Moving forward, it is likely that Bronny will continue to shuttle between the G League and the main roster, though the vast majority of his minutes will come in South Bay. As the Lakers establish themselves as true contenders in the Western Conference, Redick and the coaching staff simply cannot afford to prioritize development over winning.
This difficult start raises uncomfortable questions about Bronny’s long-term viability in the league. We can argue that without the LeBron connection, Bronny might have already been cut or relegated permanently to the developmental ranks. For now, the pressure is on the young guard to prove he belongs on merit rather than just a historic name.
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