The Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed an impressive 11-2 start to the 2026-27 NBA season, but their bench production remains a concern. Third-year guard Bronny James has struggled in limited opportunities, posting a minus-40 plus-minus in just 16 minutes and 35 seconds on the floor.
NBA insider Jovan Buha highlighted the concerning statistic on his Buha's Block podcast following the Lakers' 123-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He questioned James' development and whether the young guard deserves a place on the team's roster.
“Bronny is a minus-40 in 16 minutes and 35 seconds this season,” Buha said.
“Think about that. That's not even a quarter and a half of basketball. The Lakers have been outscored by 40 in his 16 and a half minutes.”
However, not everyone shares the same criticism. One fan defended James in response to the discussion, arguing that his limited playing time makes it difficult to establish consistency.
Article Continues Below“Cuz he only plays garbage time minutes so he never gets into a rhythm. If he were getting consistent minutes, he’d be giving you 10 points, 5 assists and 2 steals per game,” the fan commented.
James finished with four points, no rebounds and no assists in four minutes against Milwaukee, recording a minus-13. Despite his struggles, the young guard remains part of the Lakers' long-term development plans and still has an opportunity to prove his value.
Buha suggested veteran guard Bruce Brown as a potential replacement, believing Los Angeles needs a more dependable third-string ball-handler. The 2023 NBA champion could bring experience and stability to the team's second unit.
However, Bronny James is still developing, and his limited playing time makes it difficult to fully assess his progress. With more consistent opportunities, he could still show that he belongs in the NBA.