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Bronny James is facing pressure to prove he can contribute to the Los Angeles Lakers after a difficult preseason marked by turnovers, poor shooting and questions about his ability to run the offense.
Through four exhibition games, the 22-year-old guard averaged 2.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game. He shot 26.7% from the field and 14.3% from 3-point range, finishing with 12 turnovers against 13 assists.
With the regular season approaching, James’ performance has raised questions about his role as the Lakers finalize their roster.
Turnovers highlight preseason struggles
One of James’ toughest outings came against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas. In the Lakers’ 101-89 loss, he played 11 minutes without scoring, recording one rebound, one steal and four turnovers while missing both of his shots.
He struggled again in Friday’s preseason finale against Denver. During the Lakers’ 121-106 loss, James missed his only attempt, a 3-pointer, and recorded one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes.
The numbers have added to concerns about whether he can consistently manage the ball against NBA pressure.
Lakers reporter questions his role
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said James is expected to help organize the offense and provide additional ball-handling depth if players such as Collin Sexton, Austin Reaves or Luka Doncic are unavailable.
Buha questioned whether James has shown he can handle defensive pressure and reliably get the team into its offensive sets. He acknowledged that James has produced some encouraging assist performances but said his overall preseason has been concerning.
Buha also identified reserves Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy as players who have struggled during the exhibition schedule.
JJ Redick points to context
Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged that James has not performed well in preseason games but said he had a strong September and continued to practice well.
Redick also pointed to the lineups surrounding James, noting that he has spent considerable time playing alongside two-way players. In one game, James shared the floor with Rafael Castro, who had joined the team only three days earlier.
The coach’s comments suggest that the circumstances around James’ minutes may be part of the evaluation, even as his on-court performance remains under scrutiny.
What comes next for Bronny James?
James is entering his third NBA season after averaging 2.3 points across 27 games as a rookie and 2.9 points with 1.2 assists in 42 games last season.
The Lakers guaranteed his $2.29 million salary for 2026-27, the third year of his four-year contract. The final year is a team option.
According to the supplied report, Los Angeles had 16 players on its active roster and needed to cut at least one before the Monday deadline. With Sexton recovering from a lower-leg injury, James’ ability to protect the ball and organize the offense could influence his opportunities.
His defense and decision-making will also be important as he competes for a more consistent role. For now, James must show the Lakers that he can turn his preseason struggles into progress before the regular season begins.
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