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James, who has seen limited action in the NBA, has appeared in five games for the Lakers this season. During those brief stints, the guard has averaged 0.8 points across 2.4 minutes per game. The decision to move him to the G League roster is intended to provide the 22-year-old with more consistent developmental opportunities.
Developmental Focus for Lakers Prospects
The G League affiliate, formerly known as the South Bay Lakers, has undergone significant changes this season, including a rebranding and relocation to the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert. Over the past two seasons, James has demonstrated his potential in the developmental league, recording averages of 18.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds across 25 appearances. During that stretch, he shot 49.6 percent from the field, including a 41.3 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
The Coachella Valley Lakers are set to begin their season on Friday with a home matchup against the Salt Lake City Stars. The team enters this new chapter under the guidance of head coach Alex Cerda, who took over the role after his predecessor, Zack Guthrie, transitioned to join JJ Redick’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In addition to James, the Lakers also assigned rookie Cameron Carr to the Coachella Valley roster on Thursday. This move aligns with the organization's strategy to utilize the G League as a primary environment for the growth of their younger players while the senior team maintains its competitive momentum in the early stages of the NBA season.