LeBron James’ son Bronny James faces major roster decision amid struggle in Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers assigned Bronny James to the Coachella Valley Lakers on Thursday, and nobody has said when he will be back. The 22-year-old guard has played 12 minutes this season and has four points for a 7-2 team. The elder James left for the Philadelphia 76ers in July, making this the first season in Los Angeles without him. The younger James is signed to a fully guaranteed deal through 2026-27, with a team option for the year after. Coachella Valley opens its season Friday.Why did the Lakers send Bronny James to the G League?Bronny James shot 25% from the floor in the preseason, going 4 of 16, and made one of eight three-pointers. Coach JJ Redick had already cast doubt on his place, saying last month, “I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games.”Redick had liked his September and summer work. Then the games started.The Lakers tried the 6-foot-2 guard at backup point guard while Collin Sexton was out with a calf injury. It did not work. James struggled to handle the ball, make plays and run the offense, the core jobs at that spot. And Redick went another direction. Los Angeles had 16 players on guaranteed contracts, and in October it waived Dalton Knecht, the No. 17 pick in 2024, instead of James, the 55th pick in the same draft.What does Bronny James’ contract say about his future?James is guaranteed his salary through the 2026-27 season. A $2.4 million team option covers 2027-28, so the Lakers can decline it if he is not ready for NBA minutes. They took him out of USC in the second round in 2024. Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams signed minimum deals this summer and are already playing 3-and-D roles, which leaves little room on the depth chart. The Lakers are building around Luka Doncic and a title run.James has produced in the G League before. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported he averaged 18.4 points on 49.6% shooting, with 4.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds, over 25 games for South Bay in the past two seasons. He also hit 37.9% of 158 threes last year across NBA and G League play. Those numbers point to a shooter’s role more than a playmaker’s.Rookie Cameron Carr was assigned too. The team, rebranded and moved from South Bay, plays at Acrisure Arena in Palm DesertGet the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.