**LOS ANGELES** — The Los Angeles Lakers announced Thursday that Bronny James has been assigned to the G League, a surprising development that comes just three months after the organization discovered his father no longer plays for the team.
LeBron James signed with Philadelphia in July, ending eight seasons in Los Angeles and apparently triggering an internal review of which players might benefit from actually playing basketball.
The investigation reportedly identified Bronny, a 22-year-old guard who has averaged just 2.4 minutes across five appearances this season.
Team officials then made another remarkable discovery: the Lakers have an entire developmental basketball organization specifically designed for situations like this.
Previously known as the South Bay Lakers, the affiliate has relocated to Coachella Valley, where Bronny will join rookie Cameron Carr ahead of Friday's season opener.
The Lakers insist the assignment is intended to provide valuable playing time, a revolutionary developmental concept that had somehow existed throughout Bronny's first two NBA seasons.
In fact, Bronny has already spent significant time in the G League, making the organization's fictional moment of discovery even more impressive.
There is no evidence that LeBron's departure influenced the assignment, although NBA fans have already assembled a suspicious-looking timeline using three screenshots and absolutely no inside information.
The younger James will now have an opportunity to develop his game away from the Lakers' crowded rotation, while his father continues playing in Philadelphia.
The Lakers insist the move is strictly about player development.
Asked why the development process suddenly became a priority, team officials reportedly explained that Bronny's father was no longer available for comment.
