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By Aman Sharma
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James has logged just over 16 minutes this season, and opponents have outscored his lineups by 40 points.
That number has NBA insider Jovan Buha questioning whether the third-year guard belongs on an 11-2 roster, a case he made on his “Buha’s Block” podcast.
Buha floated waiving James and signing Bruce Brown, a veteran guard, arguing the Lakers need a steadier ball-handler late in games. James has averaged 1.3 points across six appearances and hasn’t recorded a rebound or an assist.
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Speaking after a 123-112 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, Buha put the plus-minus in perspective.
“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. When you look at Bronny and his lack of progress this year, it is concerning.”
The criticism comes during a hot start. Luka Doncic has carried Los Angeles to its 11-2 mark while building an early MVP case, yet the deep reserves have coughed up comfortable late leads more than once.
James and Jaden Hardy have taken the most heat for those collapses. Against Milwaukee, James had four points over four minutes and finished minus-13.
Buha also doubted James would land a standard deal elsewhere if waived.
“If LA waived him, I’d be surprised if someone picked him up on an actual contract. Maybe someone picks him up on a two-way. Maybe Philly picks him up on a two-way, or somewhere picks him up on a two-way. I don’t think he ends up on a 15-man roster.”
Brown, a champion in 2023, was Buha’s preferred answer.
“Bruce Brown, I’d be cool with Bruce Brown. At this point, why not waive Bronny and just have Bruce Brown on the team?”
Until the Lakers decide, every garbage-time shift doubles as an audition for James, with Brown already named as the alternative.
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