Fri Nov 08 10:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Bronny James to Debut for South Bay Lakers in G League

**Los Angeles, CA -** The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie Bronny James to their G League affiliate, South Bay, and he is expected to make his debut for the team this Saturday against Salt Lake City.

James, the 55th pick in the 2023 draft, will remain on the Lakers’ roster for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers before rejoining South Bay. The organization’s plan is for James to play only in G League home games while shuttling between the Lakers and South Bay.

This move was anticipated from the start of James’ career, with Lakers coach JJ Redick stating last month that the plan for James to move between the NBA and G League was in place since the beginning.

Sources close to the situation revealed that James and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, actively sought out opportunities for development in the G League during the pre-draft process. Paul advocated for a standard contract, not a two-way deal, while remaining open to the G League experience.

The decision to assign James to South Bay follows a common trend for players drafted in the later rounds. This season, 23 of the 28 players selected in the second round have spent time in the G League, gaining valuable coaching, game experience, and structure.

James has already appeared in four games for the Lakers this season, including the season opener on October 22nd, where he and his father, LeBron James, made history as the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game simultaneously.

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