Bronny James will switch between the Lakers and the G League after the trip

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was scheduled to travel on the team's upcoming trip from Monday through Nov. 6, then begin shuttling between the active roster and the franchise's South Bay G League affiliate, although coach JJ Redick said that those plans could change.

The Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season opener on Tuesday, making history as LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game together. LA faces the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night and then hosts the Sacramento Kings on Saturday before traveling to Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto, Detroit and Memphis.

“Our plans are always fluid and based on real time,” Redick said before Friday’s game. “I think we have two guys getting dressed today that we haven’t gotten dressed since yesterday.”

“The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay was always the plan from day one. (General Manager) Rob (Pelinka) and I talked about it. LeBron talked about it.”

LeBron spent 11 of his first 21 years in the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was about to begin his second season with the Cavs when Bronny was born in Akron, Ohio, on Oct. 6, 2004, making for a momentous event when the Jameses return there next Wednesday.

The G League draft takes place on Saturday and team training camps run through November 7th.

While Bronny James and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, discussed the development with NBA teams during his pre-draft process, sources told ESPN that the concept of G League play was welcomed. Those sources said Paul had previously advocated for a standard contract – rather than a two-way deal – while making it clear that he and Bronny, who was selected by LA in the second round with the No. 55 pick, are completely be open to the development process.

When LeBron made his first comments about plans for Bronny's rookie season at media day last month, he talked about how in tune the Lakers are with their G League affiliate.

“I’m just excited to see him continue to develop as a basketball player, whether it’s here with us or on the G League team, and he just keeps getting better and better,” LeBron said. “His job is to put in the work and keep getting better, just like the rest of us. And we want to hold him accountable, and he will hold us accountable. And if we all do that, we will all get better because we are all a team. South Bay is a reflection of who we are.”

It's typical for players selected in the mid-to-late second round to spend time in the G League, gaining coaching, reps and structure within their respective teams' programs. During the 2023-24 season, 23 of the 28 players selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft spent time in the G League.

Pelinka, who is also the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations, and Redick have both spoken about creating the right synergies between the Lakers and their South Bay squad.

Redick, who was hired with no prior head coaching experience in part because he was selling his vision of establishing an elite player development program for LA, explained that Bronny's background will provide the first opportunity to implement the approach.

“As we prioritize player development, we see Bronny as case study one because his fundamental feel, athleticism, point-of-defense attack, shooting and passing have a lot to like about his game,” said Redick in July. “And as we expand our player development program holistically, he will have a great opportunity to become an outstanding NBA player.”

South Bay also has a new coach this season: LA hired Zach Guthrie last month to replace Dane Johnson.