Bronny James says he’s learning how to play without the ball — and Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick is the one pushing him there. After a wave of early-season injuries forced Redick to use Bronny for 10 games, the 21-year-old son of LeBron James returned to the G League on Friday and immediately showed the progress Redick has demanded.
The second-year guard scored 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, added eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals in the South Bay Lakers’ 115–95 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors. It was an efficient and assertive performance that addressed the very issue Redick recently exploded at him over: being too hesitant to shoot.
Bronny James: ‘JJ Wants Me to Learn How to Play Off the Ball’
Bronny credited Redick for steering him toward a more modern NBA skill set — especially as a complementary guard next to stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
“I’m trying to focus now on bettering myself off the ball,” Bronny told reporters. “Me and JJ have talked about all the ball handlers on the parent team, so I have to learn how to be effective off the ball. Have a .5 mentality — shoot the ball when I have open shots and try to get better at that.”
Bronny emphasized that Redick wants him to shoot decisively, move quicker, and impact the game without dribbling deep into traffic.
Lakers Send Bronny to G League to Fix Shooting Struggles
With the Lakers now fully healthy, Bronny became the odd man out of the rotation. In 10 NBA games, he averaged 2.1 points and 1.8 assists, but his biggest challenge has been poor shooting: 29.6% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range.
The Lakers are treating the G League as a developmental runway, not a demotion. And historically, Bronny has thrived there. Last season with South Bay, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals in 34.2 minutes.
Viral Video Highlights Redick’s Frustration With Bronny
Bronny’s return to the developmental league comes a week after a viral clip showed Redick furiously screaming at him for refusing to shoot when Dončić created an open look.
“Bronny, you’ve got to shoot the [expletive] ball,” Redick shouted after the rookie passed up a clean jumper.
Bronny took just two shots in 10 minutes that game against the Milwaukee Bucks, signaling a confidence issue Redick believes must change immediately if Bronny is going to survive in the league.
Bronny Faces Heavy Scrutiny: Can Defense Alone Keep Him in the NBA?
Bronny has earned praise for his defensive mindset, but scouts and analysts have questioned whether his size and offensive limitations can translate to meaningful NBA minutes. At 6′2″ without elite burst, he will need reliable catch-and-shoot scoring to carve out a role next to star ball handlers.
Still, his G League performance showed flashes of the assertive, fast-decision player Redick is pleading for. With the Lakers in playoff contention and Redick prioritizing winning, Bronny’s path forward will likely depend on how quickly he adapts to his new identity.
What’s Next for Bronny James?
Bronny will remain in the G League for extended development while the Lakers continue their push in the Western Conference. If his improved shooting and decision-making carry over, he could return to the NBA rotation later this season.
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