Lakers have painfully obvious Bronny James decision to make after dreadful preseason

Bronny James had a disappointing preseason with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing in four out of six games and averaging 6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21.3 minutes per contest. He shot only 25 percent from the field, made just two 3-pointers, and had an equal number of assists and turnovers, while his defense appeared problematic, leading to concerns about his NBA readiness.

Initially, some fans expected Bronny to compete for backup point guard minutes against Gabe Vincent, but Vincent secured a starting role instead, highlighting Bronny's struggles. Bronny missed the final two preseason games due to an ankle injury, capping off a poor performance that may jeopardize his place on the Lakers roster, as he has not demonstrated the skills of a shooter, creator, or effective defender.

The Lakers face financial constraints, being $1.1 million below the first apron and hard-capped, which prevented them from cutting Bronny from the opening night roster due to his guaranteed contract. Additionally, the team is cautious about upsetting LeBron James, who is in the final year of his contract and may play elsewhere next season, but they are considering trading Bronny to upgrade the roster as the trade deadline approaches.

With the Lakers aiming to build around Luka Doncic and compete for championships, Bronny is projected to be the 12th man on the roster, likely seeing minimal playing time and spending most of his minutes in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. The team recognizes the need for depth and playoff versatility, making it imperative to move on from Bronny, whose contract has three years remaining, in favor of a player who can contribute more effectively.