"We'll get it done" - Lakers HC JJ Redick positive about playing Bronny James and LeBron James together
LA Lakers coach JJ Redick has said that LeBron James and Bronny James will be on the floor together for the team. The Lakers re-signed LeBron this summer to a two-year $101.3 million contract and drafted his son, Bronny, with the 55th pick. The duo will make history as the first-ever father-son duo in the NBA to play for the same team.
However, it didn't seem as easy as it did in theory. Bronny is viewed as a developmental prospect and is unlikely to receive as many minutes as a rotation piece. That won't take the James family's big moment from them, according to coach Redick, who announced his plans on Tuesday on NBA insider Zach Lowe's podcast, "The Lowe Post."
"In terms of that moment, yeah, we've talked about it and thought about it. We'll get it done," Redick told Lowe. "I don't wanna commit to anything right now, but that's gonna happen ... Sooner rather than later." (1:04:51)
JJ Redick views Bronny James as the Lakers' first developmental project under his coaching. He suggested that the 19-year-old would likely get meaningful G League minutes with the South Bay Lakers. The rookie coach views them as an extension of the NBA team and aims to work closely, overseeing the progress prospects like Bronny and others make.
JJ Redick 'high' on Bronny James as a basketball player
The talk of nepotism around Bronny James joining the LA Lakers because of his father has been the narrative around his young NBA career.
However, new coach JJ Redick and the team have repeatedly tried to refute that notion. While discussing the chances of seeing Bronny and his superstar father, LeBron James, on the floor together, Redick revealed he holds the former USC prospect in high regard because of his abilities as a basketball player.
"Bronny is a young guy, I'm very high on him as a basketball player," Redick said. "He's the first player we get to mold and develop."
While the Lakers have other young players on the team, Bronny seems to be the most raw prospect, considering his short college stint, entering his rookie year. His draft mate Dalton Knecht also lacks NBA experience, but he has spent three years in college, playing at a high level. He's expected to be in the running for a rotation spot, which isn't the case with Bronny.
LeBron James' oldest son played only 25 games in his lone college season at USC, averaging a measly 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shooting a paltry 36.6% from the floor, including 26.7% from 3.
Bronny also struggled early in his NBA Summer League debut, tallying 8.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.0 apg, shooting on 35/16/100 splits. He was in a slump, especially from long range, until his final two games, where he found his rhythm.
That indicated that Bronny James is not ready to make the rotation yet. Nevertheless, JJ Redick and the Lakers are seemingly working towards making him an integral prospect for the future, considering the former's comments on molding Bronny.