...
By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a surprising decision for reserve guard Bronny James ahead of Saturday's clash against the Milwaukee Bucks, the second game in as many nights for both clubs.
Per Los Angeles' official X account, the 6-foot-2 guard has been promoted to the team's first five, alongside five-time All-NBA First Team superstar guard Luka Doncic, rising backcourt standout Austin Reaves, plus new free agent frontcourt signings Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton.
Read More on NBA
Los Angeles coach JJ Redick's decision to shift James into his first five ahead of, say, defense-first forward Jarred Vanderbilt or sharpshooting swingman Dalton Knecht serves as a welcome indicator that he's seen some major developmental upside in the raw young pro.
More news: Rockets Could Pursue Lakers Star in Potential Blockbuster Trade
The 21-year-old USC product has played sparingly for LA this season, but has shown promising flashes on defense. In seven games, the eldest son of injured Lakers superstar LeBron James (who has yet to make his season debut thanks to a sciatica injury) has been averaging 2.6 points on .350/.333/1.000 shooting splits, 1.9 assists, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, will trot out its own revamped first five.
With starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. recuperating from meniscus surgery, Ryan Rollins has earned the starting nod in his stead. Rollins has performed so well that he may be making a case for a permanent role in head coach Doc Rivers' starting lineup.
...
Sharpshooter AJ Green, extended ahead of the season, will round out the backcourt next to Rollins. Rivers recently demoted Gary Trent Jr. to a reserve role, elevating $22 million former Lakers champion Kyle Kuzma to serve as the club's starting small forward. Nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and rim-running center Myles Turner, Milwaukee's starting frontcourt, were the only definitive starters heading into the season. Their roles are safe.
Both clubs are coming off solid Emirates NBA Cup victories on Friday night. Milwaukee held off a frisky Charlotte Hornets squad — with LaMelo Ball returning to the lineup after a two-week ankle injury layoff — in overtime, 147-134. The Lakers survived a scary fourth-quarter rally from the 2-10 New Orleans Pelicans to win on the road, 118-104, improving to a 2-0 NBA Cup record and a 9-4 overall standing.
More news: Lakers Linked to 6-Time All-Star in Blockbuster Trade Idea
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines