The Los Angeles Lakers are fully entering a new era this season, and it starts with Luka Doncic. During the offseason, they added several players who should fit alongside him, but also help the team when he's on the bench. Unfortunately, those players didn't have the best showing in the preseason, as did some of the players who were already on the team.
Bronny James fits into the latter, as the third-year player shot 25% from the field while averaging 2.4 turnovers and 2.8 assists. Apparently, James has been dealing with an injury that head coach JJ Redick seems to be contributing to his preseason struggles.
“James, for his part, has been limited by a quad contusion he suffered just before the start of training camp, sources told ESPN, and Redick added that the third-year guard has often shared the court with training camp invitees, rather than rotation players, and noted how James finished last season as a playoff contributor,” ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote.
Coming into his third year, it's hard to tell what James' role will be with the team, especially if he continues to struggle. His defense has been his calling card since getting drafted, but he has to produce on offense as well if he wants to stay on the court. Despite the preseason struggles, Redick says that James had a good summer with the team.
Article Continues Below“I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us. I don't think he's played well in the four preseason games, but he's had good practices,” Redick said.
If James doesn't step up, the ball-handling depth behind Doncic and Austin Reaves won't be great to start the season, especially if other players don't raise their level of play.