NBA G League: Teams, Salaries, and the Debut of Bronny James

The NBA G League, formerly known as the D League, is the official minor league of the NBA, serving as a developmental platform for young players and those aiming to prove themselves worthy of an NBA spot. Founded in 2001, the league has grown significantly, now featuring 31 teams, each affiliated with an NBA team, along with the independent Mexico City Capitanes.

Each NBA team has an assigned G League affiliate where they can send players for further development. This system is particularly useful when players need more seasoning than what the NBA team can provide during the regular season. The G League season, which began on November 8, 2024, will run through the end of March, followed by a single-elimination playoff tournament in April.

One of the most notable recent developments in the G League is the assignment of Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, to the South Bay Lakers. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny has been sent to the G League to work on his game after a brief stint in the NBA. His G League debut with the South Bay Lakers quickly sold out, reflecting the significant interest in his career.

Expectations for Bronny James in the G League are tempered, given his limited production in college and his initial NBA games. Despite being the 20th-ranked player in his high school class, Bronny averaged only 4.8 points per game at USC and 0.8 points per game in his brief NBA stint. Realistic expectations suggest he may need several seasons in the G League to develop into a respectable NBA player.

The G League has a history of nurturing talent, with notable players like Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Fred VanVleet, and Rudy Gobert having spent time in the league. The league’s president, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a former NBA All-Star, oversees the operations and growth of the G League.