NBA Exec: Bronny James Shouldn't Play 'a Single Minute' with Lakers in Rookie Season

One executive from a Western Conference team expressed their belief Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James would be best served by spending a full season in the NBA G League.

"There's going to be so much internal pressure for him to come up from the G League, but he shouldn't spend a single minute with the Lakers this year," the exec said to ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

Holmes cited another West executive who said James is a work in progress as a player.

"I think there's the foundation of a defensive-minded combo guard there, but we never got to see it bloom," they said. "With a different last name, we're not having this conversation. That's just the fact. His résumé is light at best. He got here because of the last name. Now it's time to see and grade that decision. We'll be able to grade it in three years, but if it doesn't involve serious, dedicated G League time, I don't think he has a chance."

James' freshman year at USC never got off the ground after he suffered cardiac arrest during an offseason workout. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 appearances and shot 36.6 percent from the field, including 26.7 percent from the perimeter.

The 6'2" guard hasn't shown much through the Lakers' two preseason games, either. In 29 total minutes, he has two points on 1-of-7 shooting along with three rebounds, one assist, five turnovers and three blocks.

Former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported in July the Lakers could have Bronny play with his father, LeBron James, early on before assigning him to the South Bay Lakers, their G League affiliate, which is where he'd spend the majority of the season.

Beyond the fact the G League is closer to the 20-year-old's talent level right now, shifting him to South Bay would inevitably mean the level of scrutiny is much lower. His G League exploits would garner plenty of attention but nowhere near the same level as if he were consistently riding the bench or struggling to help Los Angeles as it chases a championship.

Putting Bronny and LeBron on the court together in Sunday's 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns was undoubtedly a great moment, but his long-term development needs to be the Lakers' overriding priority.