NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has become the latest critic of the Los Angeles Lakers’ handling of Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James. Barkley, known for his blunt opinions, didn’t hold back when discussing the Lakers‘ approach to developing the young player.
The Lakers have been using a unique strategy with Bronny: having him play for the team’s G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, during home games, while recalling him to the NBA roster for road trips. This move has drawn sharp criticism, with Barkley calling the strategy “awful” and “unfair.”
Bronny James shines alongside LeBron with his first NBA basket against Cleveland
“I don’t think they are doing Bronny any favors,” Barkley said during a recent appearance on “The Bettor Angle.” He expressed concern over how the Lakers‘ system is setting up Bronny for failure. “Can you imagine the coach of that team? You come off a road trip and you have a player you haven’t seen in a week or two. And then you probably feel like you gotta play him. It’s just not fair to him or to the team.”
Barkley went on to emphasize that Bronny’s current role isn’t allowing him the growth opportunities he needs. “The kid is not ready to play in the NBA. He should be in the G-League so he can play basketball,” he added, making it clear that he believes the Lakers‘ strategy is not beneficial to Bronny’s development or his future in the league.
Bronny’s role with the Lakers and G-League
So far, Bronny has seen limited action in the NBA, appearing in just six games and averaging 0.7 points and 2.3 minutes per game. In contrast, his performance in the G-League has been more promising. With South Bay, he has averaged 5.0 points and 3.0 assists in 28.5 minutes across two appearances.
While the Lakers have faced ongoing questions about the potential influence of LeBron in drafting Bronny, as well as concerns about his readiness to play at the professional level, the controversy surrounding his development plan has only intensified since it was revealed. Many believe the Lakers‘ current approach is doing more harm than good, and it remains to be seen how Bronny’s career will unfold under such scrutiny.
Barkley’s comments add to the growing chorus of voices questioning the Lakers‘ treatment of LeBron’s son, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering if there’s a better way to help him develop into an NBA-caliber player.
