More than three weeks into the 2026-27 NBA season, Bronny James continues to occupy a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers roster without earning regular minutes.
The 22-year-old guard, selected 55th overall in the 2024 draft, has logged roughly 17 minutes across the early schedule, producing eight points along with a block, six fouls, and two turnovers.
Even a season-high four-minute appearance in a recent win over the Milwaukee Bucks, which came after injuries sidelined Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, did little to alter the broader picture of his limited role.
Tyler Watts of Lake Show Life argued that the latest outing confirmed longstanding doubts.
“The Lakers want Bronny to be a point guard, but he keeps failing every audition. James even struggled to run the offense in the G League opener. The 22-year-old is fighting for his place on the roster, and Wednesday’s win over the Bucks didn’t do Bronny any favors,” Watts wrote. “That leaves the Lakers with a hole in their roster to fill and a difficult decision to make on Bronny.”
During those four minutes against Milwaukee, James scored four points while the team was outscored by 13 with him on the floor. Los Angeles, which holds the league’s best record, nearly surrendered a large lead to the Eastern Conference’s worst team.
Watts noted the broader numbers: “James has only played in garbage time during the regular season, but the Lakers have been outscored by 40 points with him on the floor. The Lakers have an 81.1 offensive rating with James on the floor. Their net rating is negative 85.6, which seems impossible. LA plays no defense and just fires up shots. It is a recipe for disaster, even with a massive lead already in hand.”
The Lakers hold a $2.4 million team option on James’s contract for next season. Watts concluded that continued underperformance should force a choice.
“The Lakers have a tough decision to make on Bronny. They have a $2.4 million team option on his contract for next season. If James can’t help them win, it is time to move on. Doncic and Reaves are in their primes, and every roster spot matters. James must improve, or it is time to let him go,” he wrote.
He added that the offense managed only one basket in more than four minutes with James directing play: “Bronny keeps failing every opportunity he receives. The offense scored one basket in over four minutes with him running the show. It was garbage time, but James needs to shine in those moments to have any shot at playing with the game in doubt. He struggled, and the offense was worse. That isn’t giving Redick any faith to play him.”
Coach JJ Redick had already voiced concerns during the preseason, saying, “I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices.”
Watts had argued earlier that the preseason performances alone justified moving on, noting that James’s improved jumper from the prior year now looked potentially fleeting and that he is not a natural point guard.
Through six games this season, James is averaging 1.3 points in 2.8 minutes.
With Doncic, Reaves, and Collin Sexton all dealing with injuries, the Lakers may delay any immediate roster move, yet the limited production continues to place James’s long-term future in Los Angeles under scrutiny.
