The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday that Bronny James and rookie Cameron Carr have been assigned to the G League. This early move into the G League raises concerns about James’ trajectory in his third NBA season, especially after he had previously played for the Coachella Valley Lakers during his first two seasons.

Despite being the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, the 22-year-old has struggled to secure significant playing time. Last season, he saw limited action in the playoffs due to injuries on the team but has only managed to earn spot minutes during his first two seasons when the roster was at full strength. His preseason performance has been disappointing, shooting just 4 of 16 from the field.

Lakers coach JJ Redick commented on James’ struggles, stating, "I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us, but I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games."

Despite these challenges, James survived the final roster cuts, as the Lakers opted to waive former No. 17 overall pick Dalton Knecht to finalize their lineup. Knecht has since signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks, where he scored 10 points in his debut against the Chicago Bulls. In contrast, James has only managed four points in 12 minutes across five appearances this season.

Having made history as the first player to share the court with his father, James now finds himself in a precarious situation. With LeBron James now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, who are off to a strong start at 8-1, the Lakers also perform well at 7-2 without him. As a second-round pick, the younger James faces pressure to demonstrate progress quickly, as his contract is guaranteed only through this season. If he fails to improve, he may become a trade candidate or risk not being retained after the season.