Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

JJ Redick says Lakers have put Bronny James 'in a tough spot'

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Jan 29, 2025 8:15 AM ET

The Lakers have been accused of nepotism with their treatment of Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. The franchise has also been criticized for affording preferential treatment to Bronny, who did not travel with his G League teammates at the start of the season.

Yet, Lakers head coach JJ Redick feels the Lakers have put Bronny in "a tough spot" by moving him back and forth between the NBA and G League. Redick made the comments after Bronny returned to the Lakers lineup Tuesday in a 118-104 loss to the 76ers.

"Maybe put him in a tough spot," Redick said of his rookie, via Bleacher Report. "Flying up yesterday, nationally televised game in Philly and all that stuff. He didn't play well, but he's been playing great in the stay-ready games, and he's been playing great in the G [League]. I have confidence in him."

JJ Redick says he played Bronny in the 1st quarter hoping he'd bring the team "energy"

"He didn't play well, but he's been playing great in the stay-ready games and in the [G League]. I have confidence in him." pic.twitter.com/SNk4G5swIa
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 29, 2025

Bronny entered the game with 4:33 left in the first quarter — a sign of Redick entrusting him with a bigger role. The 20-year-old guard previously played only in garbage time minutes for the Lakers, except for the opening night win over the Timberwolves.

The USC alum finished with zero points (0-of-5 shooting), three rebounds and one assist in his first game for the Lakers since the Jan. 23 win over the Celtics. After Tuesday's Lakers return, Bronny said he feels more prepared to tackle the rigors of the NBA with his newfound experience.

Bronny James says there is “absolutely not” a comparison to his preparedness now for the NBA now vs. on opening night when he got his first minutes pic.twitter.com/sK9UYYSRQK
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 29, 2025

The second-generation player is averaging 0.3 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists from 13 games.

Despite his struggles in the NBA, Bronny has fared excellently for the South Bay Lakers in his recent stints. He posted a career-high 33 points last Friday in his return to the G League after nearly a month.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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