2 weeks Ago By Jonathan Wasserman
A quiet start to Bronny James' NBA career was expected despite the noise that came with being a highly publicized, highly criticized No. 55 pick. James did crack the Los Angeles Lakers' regular-season rotation twice in the first five games, but now, according to Shams Charania , the rookie will take his talents to South Bay—at least for the time being.
Although James' early NBA days have been far from traditional, nothing is more natural than a 20-year-old, late-second-round prospect spending time in the G League. It's what the NBA's "farm system" is for—developing raw, young talent. He'll be under the guidance of first-year G League coach Zach Guthrie, who has NBA coaching experience with the Washington Wizards (three years), Dallas Mavericks (one) and Utah Jazz (four).
He also worked as a basketball operations intern with the G League Austin Toros (now Austin Spurs). Guthrie worked alongside Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick throughout the preseason to build a development program for the team's two-way and affiliate players. Below is a look at the top players he'll be playing with soon.
Position: PG Size: 6'3", 180 lbs. Age: 24 After playing for four different schools from 2019 to 2024, Sean East II finished second in scoring at April's Portsmouth Invitational and earned an invite to G League Elite Camp last May. He had a tremendous close to his senior season at Missouri, where he averaged 23.
1 points over his final eight games, which included opponents like Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee. East lives in ball-screen situations, which usually end with one of his signature pull-up jumpers or floaters. He's wired to score first, which just might be problematic for a 180-pound, ball-dominant guard who possesses zero explosion and limited playmaking feel.
Position: PF Size: 6'8", 200 lbs. Age: 21 Alex Fudge made four appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers last year after spending time with South Bay and the Texas Legends. His skill level remains very limited, and calling him up means accepting the fact that he's only going to bring finishing on offense.
The draw to Fudge is his ability to make athletic plays from off the ball at both ends, specifically on defense. He's put up impressive steal and block rates wherever he has been over the last few seasons. The lack of progress around his handle and shot suggests it's not worth expecting any exciting growth as a scorer.
But the right lineups or situations could call for Fudge's bounce and defensive activity. Position: C Size: 7'0", 215 lbs. Age: 27 Status: Returning G Leaguer An outstanding shot-blocker at Oregon State from 2018-2020, Kylor Kelley registered an impressive 11.
5 block percentage last year with the Maine Celtics. Now 27 years old, he still hasn't played an NBA minute. There is likely some skepticism over his 215-pound frame and ability to guard away from the basket.
But he does have some intriguing defensive instincts and enough bounce to make above-the-rim finishes in traffic. Position: SF/PF Size: 6'8", 215 lbs. Age: 21 Armel Traore first started generating attention in 2022-23 playing with Victor Wembanyama on Mets 92 in France.
He regressed with his shooting last year, hurting his chances of raising his draft stock. Still, Traore has demonstrated intriguing instincts and motor for finishing plays from off the ball, scoring in transition, attacking closeouts, cutting and putting back misses. If he's going to position himself for a call-up, it will be because of his ability to make plays without needing them called, though improving his three-ball will be an obvious help.
Position: PG/SG Size: 6'4", 200 lbs. Age: 26 The South Bay Lakers' most experienced pro is Jordan Goodwin, who's logged 121 NBA games and averaged 10.0 points, 8.
0 rebounds and 4.5 assists last year in 17 appearances for the Memphis Grizzlies. Shooting has always held Goodwin back since his college days at Saint Louis, but he's stuck around because of his effectiveness attacking the rim and playmaking at 6'4".
The Lakers could give him a look if he's able to move them with enough shotmaking to complement the driving. And while there isn't any upside left to unlock, he's already proven he can give NBA teams useful spot minutes at different points of the season. Position: PG/SG Size: 6'3", 200 lbs.
Age: 24 Quincy Olivari scored 22 of the Los Angeles Lakers' 74 points in their preseason finale, two games after he led the team on a fourth-quarter run to beat the Milwaukee Bucks. One of the better shotmaking guards in the NCAA last year, he's capable of providing instant offense with his range and pull-up game. While he excels most on the ball, creating for himself, handling in transition and playing in pick-and-roll, he also proved to be effective as a spot-up and movement shooter.
Olivari, who went for over 30 points four times at Xavier and erupted for 43 against DePaul, has the microwave scoring button that gives smaller, non-playmakers and weak finishers a chance at the NBA level. Position: C Size: 7'0", 230 lbs. Age: 24 Officially cleared following last year's blood clot, Christian Koloko will attempt to continue his career in the Lakers' development program.
Among the South Bay Lakers players, he is the best bet to earn NBA minutes first. The former Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year already looked like a pro shot-blocker with the Toronto Raptors. He's also had some encouraging sequences sliding his feet in space with guards away from the basket.
He'll be valued most for his 7'5" wingspan in protection, and he should serve as a useful finisher and offensive rebounder. Koloko figures to be the first center L.A.
looks to if Anthony Davis or Jaxson Hayes ever has to miss time..
