Lakers assign Bronny James to Coachella Valley G League team
The move gives the 22-year-old guard a chance for more playing time after limited minutes in Los Angeles. The affiliate opens its season Friday in Palm Desert.
The Los Angeles Lakers assigned Bronny James and rookie Cameron Carr to their G League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Lakers, on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The move sends the 22-year-old guard to a team opening its season Friday at home against the Salt Lake City Stars in Palm Desert.
James has seen limited time with the Lakers
James averaged 2.4 minutes and 0.8 points across five Lakers appearances during the team’s 7-2 start, ESPN reported. CBS Sports reported that he scored four points in 12 minutes across those same five appearances. The playing-time totals are equivalent: 2.4 minutes per appearance amounts to 12 minutes over five games.
James remained on the Lakers’ 15-player roster after the team waived Dalton Knecht, CBS Sports reported. Knecht signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks and scored 10 points in 16 minutes in his first game for them on Wednesday. James, drafted in 2024, shot 4-for-16 in the preseason. Lakers coach JJ Redick said in October that James had a good September and summer but had not played well in four preseason games. The Lakers have started 7-2 without relying on James for regular minutes.
Coachella Valley opens at Acrisure Arena
James has averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds across 25 G League games over the previous two seasons, ESPN reported. He shot 49.6% overall and 41.3% from three-point range in those games for the South Bay Lakers. The affiliate was rebranded and relocated as Coachella Valley this season, moving its home games from the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo to Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.
Coachella Valley’s Friday opener against the Salt Lake City Stars is its first game of the season at its new home. Alex Cerda is the affiliate’s coach, succeeding Zack Guthrie, who joined JJ Redick’s Lakers staff, ESPN reported. James’s past G League production offers a different picture from his limited NBA appearances, but the assignment itself does not establish how long he will stay with the affiliate or when he might next play for Los Angeles.
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Sources and context
- Bronny James faces uncertain NBA future after Lakers assign him to G LeagueCBS Sports
- Bronny James assigned to Coachella Valley Lakers in G LeagueESPN (Dave McMenamin)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.