Lakers Assign Bronny James, Other Prospects to G League

The move comes after a big win over the Chicago Bulls.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:55pm

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The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned standout prospect Bronny James, along with Adou Thiero and Kobe Bufkin, to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The move comes after the Lakers' 142-130 victory over the Chicago Bulls, in which Luka Doncic scored 51 points. Bronny James has been productive in the G League, averaging 15.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season.

Why it matters

The Lakers are developing their young talent, including Bronny James, through G League assignments. This allows the prospects to get more playing time and experience, which could benefit the Lakers' roster in the long run.

The details

In the Lakers' win over the Bulls, Luka Doncic led the way with 51 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 30 points. LeBron James also had 18 points on the night. The Lakers' front court combination of Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura also played a key role in the high-scoring affair.

  • The Lakers assigned Bronny James, Adou Thiero, and Kobe Bufkin to the South Bay Lakers on March 13, 2026.
  • The South Bay Lakers are scheduled to play the Iowa Wolves on March 13, 2026 at 10 PM ET.

The players

Bronny James

A standout prospect for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James has been productive in the G League this season, averaging 15.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Adou Thiero

A 2025 second-round pick of the Lakers, Thiero has been a G League standout this year, posting averages of 14.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 68% from the field.

Kobe Bufkin

A former first-round pick, Bufkin is working to convince the Lakers that he's worth staying on the primary roster. He signed a two-year deal with the Lakers, who have a $2.4 million club option to decide on in late June.

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' superstar scorer, Doncic produced 51 points in the team's win over the Chicago Bulls.

Austin Reaves

The veteran guard for the Lakers, Reaves contributed 30 points in the win over the Bulls.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Lakers' decision to assign their young prospects, including Bronny James, to the G League demonstrates their commitment to developing their talent and building a strong roster for the future.