NBA legend Charles Barkley criticizes LA Lakers over handling of Bronny James

NBA legend Charles Barkley has recently voiced his concerns regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ management of Bronny James, the 20-year-old rookie guard and son of the NBA’s iconic LeBron James. Since being drafted by the Lakers in June 2024, Bronny’s role with the team has been limited, sparking criticism from various quarters, including Barkley.

In October, Bronny and his father made history when they became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. It was a milestone moment for both the Lakers and the league. However, since then, Bronny’s involvement in the NBA has been minimal, as he has primarily played for the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

The decision to have Bronny split his time between the NBA roster and the G League has raised questions, especially since he only participates in NBA games when the team is on the road. This arrangement has left many, including Barkley, perplexed and critical of the Lakers’ approach.

Speaking on The Bettor Angle Podcast, Barkley didn’t hold back, stating, “They’ve handled it awful.” He expressed his belief that Bronny, who has had limited on-court opportunities, is not yet ready for the NBA. “The kid is not ready to play in the NBA. He should be in the G League, so he can play basketball. He’s not going to get better sitting on the bench.” Barkley also questioned the fairness of the Lakers’ decision to have Bronny play only on road games, calling it “stupid” and “unfair to him.”

Barkley’s critique extended to the team dynamics as well. He emphasized the challenge it poses to coaches, saying, “Can you imagine the coach of that team? You come off a road trip and there is a player you haven’t seen in a week or two. And then you feel like you probably got to play him.” He argued that such an arrangement undermines the team’s cohesion and doesn’t benefit Bronny’s development.

While Barkley has been outspoken, the Lakers’ management has defended their strategy. Head coach JJ Redick explained the plan for Bronny to split his time between the Lakers and the G League was set from the beginning of the season. “The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one,” Redick clarified. He further pointed out that both Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and LeBron James were on board with this decision.

Despite the limited playing time in the G League, where Bronny has scored just 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists in 57 minutes of action across two games, the younger James’ father has remained supportive. LeBron, in his usual manner, focused on the positive aspects of the situation. “To be able to have this moment where I’m working still and I can work alongside my son, it’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten from the man above,” he said, emphasizing how much the experience meant to him.

Barkley’s criticism also extended to LeBron, suggesting that the situation reflects poorly on him as well. “It’s a bad look for the Lakers,” Barkley said, adding that despite his respect for LeBron, he believed the handling of Bronny’s role was less than ideal.

The controversy surrounding Bronny’s NBA career continues to stir debate, with some fans and analysts questioning whether the Lakers’ developmental strategy is truly in the best interest of the player. The move to have Bronny play in the G League while remaining on the NBA roster has sparked further discussion about balancing player development and family dynamics in such a high-profile situation.

As Bronny continues his journey in the G League, all eyes will remain on how the Lakers manage his transition and what role he will play in the NBA moving forward. For now, the young player’s future in the league seems uncertain, but one thing is clear: this season will be a pivotal one for both him and his legendary father.

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