Video: Magic Johnson Backs Bronny James Spending Lakers Rookie Year in NBA G League

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson offered his support for Bronny James spending the majority of his rookie season with the team's G League affiliate.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live (starts at 7:00 mark), Johnson explained that if he were in James' shoes, he would tell the Lakers to let him play in the G League all season "so that I can develop" because he needs in-game reps to get better.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said this week on the The Lowe Post podcast (starts at 1:03:51) that Bronny and LeBron James will play together in a game "sooner rather than later," but he also acknowledged that Bronny will likely spend at least some time in the G League this season.

"I think Bronny is a young guy," Redick said. "I am very high on him as a basketball player and I said this at his press conference I said he is kinda like our first player that we get to mold and help develop. So we're going to look at the G League as a tool in our player development system."

Playing time is the most important thing for James right now. He appeared in 25 games at USC last season but averaged fewer than 20 minutes per contest (19.3). His minutes were limited, particularly early on, due to the cardiac arrest he suffered during a practice in July 2023.

James also has to work on becoming a more consistent shooter to reach his full potential. He shot just 36.6 percent from the field at USC and just 35.0 percent in four summer league games with the Lakers.

For a Lakers team that is always under pressure to win, but especially now with LeBron entering his age-40 season, there may not be enough minutes for Bronny with the NBA team to get the development he needs.

Bronny will almost certainly see time with the Lakers during the 2024-25 season, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he spends most of the year with the South Bay club.