Bronny James Could Have Cleveland Homecoming Before G League Stint

Bronny James Jr. is headed to the G League—but not until the end of the Lakers’ ongoing road trip. The trip happens to include a potential homecoming for the James family.

ESPN reported Friday that the younger James is expected to begin fluctuating between the active roster and the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, after their road trip concludes on Nov. 6. The timing aligns with the opening of the G League season on Nov. 8. 

“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since Day One. [GM] Rob [Pelinka] and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said ahead of the team’s win Friday over the Suns.

Cleveland Homecoming 

James Jr. has not played since going scoreless in under three minutes during the Lakers’ season opener last Tuesday—when he and LeBron James became the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history.

The Lakers, who are in the middle of a six-game stretch away from Crypto.com Arena, visit the Cavaliers on Wednesday. The game—the only time the Lakers visit Cleveland this season—presents another opportunity for a special on-court moment for the father-son duo, despite it not being a nationally televised contest.

Lakers star LeBron James played 11 seasons for the Cavaliers, and he was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, about 40 miles from Cleveland. His son Bronny was born in Akron in October 2004, weeks before LeBron James started his second season with the Cavaliers.

While many have celebrated the historic achievement of the father-son duo, others including former ESPN host Michelle Beadle have referred to it as a “manufactured” moment.