Magic Johnson advises Lakers on Bronny James' future readiness

Magic Johnson has expressed his belief that Bronny James is not yet prepared for NBA action with the Los Angeles Lakers. After being selected 55th overall in the recent NBA Draft, Bronny's performance at USC was underwhelming, averaging only 4.8 points per game. His season was also impacted by a cardiac arrest incident that caused him to miss the first eight games. Johnson suggests that Bronny should spend the upcoming season with the South Bay Lakers, the team's G League affiliate, to gain valuable playing time and develop his skills. He emphasized that this recommendation is not a criticism of Bronny's talent but rather a necessary step for his growth as a player. New Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed Johnson's sentiments, indicating that the G League will be utilized as a developmental tool for Bronny. Redick is optimistic about Bronny's potential and believes that his NBA debut will occur sooner rather than later. The Lakers, led by veteran stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are in a win-now mode, which complicates the opportunity for a rookie like Bronny to get significant minutes on the court. The Lakers' preseason begins on October 4, with their regular season opener on October 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.