Bronny James’ rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers will also include stints with the South Bay Lakers, L.A.’s NBA G League affiliate.
Ahead of James’ first year in the NBA, it was widely reported that he would be expected to spend time developing his game in the G League. For a late second-round pick on a playoff contender, assignments of the sort are not uncommon and could be helpful for James’ long-term development.
What is the G League? Here’s more on where James will be spending his time during his first year as a professional.
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What is the NBA G League?
The NBA G League is the NBA’s official minor league. The league changed its name to the “NBA G League” during the 2017-18 season when Gatorade became its title sponsor.
In addition to preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers and staffers for the NBA, the NBA G League acts “as the league’s research and development laboratory,” with experimental rules and approaches.
The 2024-25 G League season features 31 teams, 30 of which are affiliated with an NBA franchise.
The South Bay Lakers are based in the Los Angeles suburb of El Segundo, Calif., and play their home games at the Lakers’ practice facility. As such, James will still be closely involved with his NBA team when both franchises are in Southern California.
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How Bronny James’ contract impacts rookie season with Lakers
James is on a standard NBA contract with the Lakers.
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and its Players’ Association, an NBA team may at any time assign a player on a standard contract and less than three years of NBA service to an NBA G League team. As a rookie, James falls within that criteria.
There is no limit to the number of times James can be assigned to the NBA G League. There, he will play alongside other Lakers on standard contracts, Lakers players on two-way contracts and members of the South Bay Lakers who are on standard G League contracts.
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Bronny James contract details
James signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Lakers. His contract is fully guaranteed through the 2025-26 season.
The third year of James’ contract becomes fully guaranteed on June 29, 2026. The fourth year of his contract is a team option that becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2028.
All salary figures via Spotrac.
| Season | Salary | Age |
| 2024-25 | $1,157,153 | 20 |
| 2025-26 | $1,955,377 | 21 |
| 2026-27 | $2,296,271 (Partial Guarantee) | 22 |
| 2027-28 | $2,486,995 (Team Option) | 23 |
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South Bay Lakers NBA G League schedule 2024-25
The South Bay Lakers open the 2024-25 season on Nov. 9 against the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Jazz. South Bay’s next five games come against opponents from California.
| Date | Opponent (Affiliate) | Time (ET) |
| Nov. 9 | vs. Salt Lake City Stars (Jazz) | 8 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | at Santa Cruz Warriors (Warriors) | 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 17 | vs. Stockton Kings (Kings) | 8 p.m. |
| Nov. 20 | at San Diego Clippers (Clippers) | 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 24 | vs. Stockton Kings (Kings) | 8 p.m. |