Bronny James Won’t Play G League Road Games

Lakers rookie Bronny James is grinding it out in the G League this fall. But he apparently isn’t dealing with one of the most difficult parts of life in the NBA’s developmental league: the grueling travel.

“From my understanding, he’s only going to play in the South Bay Lakers home games, that he’s only going to be a part-time G League player,” ESPN NBA writer Brian Windhorst said in an episode of The Hoop Collective published Wednesday. “He’s not getting on United Airlines and going to fly and go see these other teams, play in those road games.”

The Athletic confirmed Windhorst’s comments later Wednesday, reporting that James would only be available for the South Bay Lakers’ 24 home games this season.

The South Bay Lakers play in El Segundo at the Los Angeles Lakers’ training facility. Bronny James recorded six points, five turnovers, four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block in 31 minutes in the only South Bay Lakers game this season, which was at home. The South Bay Lakers are scheduled to travel to Santa Cruz and Stockton (both in Northern California) later this month, as well as a road game in Oceanside, Calif.

The rookie played a few minutes for the NBA team alongside his father in the Lakers opener, becoming the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. He also played a few minutes, and received a standing ovation, when the Lakers went to Cleveland. In total, he’s seen the court for 16 minutes across six NBA games and scored four points.

ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton responded to Windhorst’s comments on the podcast by saying the arrangement wasn’t entirely unheard of.

“I think it’s not uncommon though for drafted players or players who are on two-way contracts to spend more time playing for their G League club at home, especially when it’s based, you know, not everyone has it where they literally play in the [NBA affiliate’s] practice facility, as is the case with the South Bay Lakers,” Pelton said. 

James signed a four-year, $7.9 million deal with the Lakers, with the first three seasons fully guaranteed after the team drafted him this summer. Agent Rich Paul made it clear he wanted his top client’s son on a full NBA contract, not a two-way deal.

One reason for the decision could be security. G League teams fly commercial, and sending someone as widely recognized as James through the airport could be a safety concern for the entire team, much less an extra business expense if the Lakers were to organize charter flights or private security. It’s why the WNBA, after sending Caitlin Clark on a commercial flight during the preseason, opted to institute league-wide charter flights shortly after videos of her in the airport emerged.

A representative for the South Bay Lakers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.