Video: Magic Johnson backs Bronny James as Lakers spend rookie year in NBA G League | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson offered his support for Bronny James who spent most of his rookie season with the team’s G League affiliate.

Appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live (starts at 7:00), Johnson explained that if he were in James’ shoes, he would tell the Lakers to let him play the entire season in the G League “so I can develop” because he needs in-game reps has to get better.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said this week on the The Lowepost podcast (starts at 1:03:51) that Bronny and LeBron James will play together in a game “sooner rather than later,” but he also acknowledged that Bronny will likely spend at least some time in the G League this season.

“I think Bronny is a young guy,” Redick said. “I have a lot of confidence in him as a basketball player and I said this at his press conference. I said he’s kind of like our first player that we have the opportunity to mold and help develop. So we’re going to look at the G League as a tool in our player development system. “

Playing time is the most important thing for James right now. He played in 25 games at USC last season, but averaged less than 20 minutes per game (19.3). His minutes were limited, especially early on, due to the cardiac arrest he suffered during training in July 2023.

James also needs to work on becoming a more consistent shooter to reach his full potential. He shot just 36.6 percent from the field at USC and just 35.0 percent in four summer league games with the Lakers.

For a Lakers team that is always under pressure to win, but especially as LeBron enters his age-40 season, there may not be enough minutes for Bronny with the NBA team to get the development he needs.

Bronny will almost certainly see time with the Lakers during the 2024-2025 season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he spends the majority of the year with the South Bay club.