“Bronny James will be assigned to the Lakers’ G League affiliate.”

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned rookie Bronny James to their G League affiliate South Bay, and sources told ESPN that he is expected to make his debut for the team on Saturday against Salt Lake City.

Sources said James will be on the Lakers’ roster for Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers and then return to South Bay.

The organization’s current plan calls for James to only attend G League home games as he commutes between the Lakers and South Bay, sources said.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said last month that “the plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay was always the plan since day one.”

When James and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, discussed the development with NBA teams during his pre-draft process, sources told ESPN that the concept of G League play was welcomed. Those sources said Paul advocated for a standard contract – rather than a two-way deal – before the draft, while making it clear that he and James were completely open to the development process.

Players drafted in the mid-to-late second round typically spend time in the G League, where they gain coaching, reps and structure within their respective teams’ programs. During the 2023-24 season, 23 of the 28 players selected in the second round of the 2023 draft spent time in the G League.

James, the 55th pick in this year’s draft, has played four games for the Lakers this season.

One of those came in the Lakers’ season opener on October 22, when he and LeBron made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play in an NBA game at the same time.