Overview

• James opened the preseason with 8 points on 1-of-12 shooting (1-of-8 from three) plus 5 rebounds and 2 assists against the Suns.
• He followed with 5 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a game-high 5 turnovers in a 111-103 loss to the Warriors that included a one-handed putback dunk.
• Redick praised his progress, calling him “so much more comfortable and confident” and “a totally different player than he was a year ago,” pointing to development from last season’s G League work.
• Former No. 1 pick Kwame Brown criticized his readiness, asserting there are high school players better and urging him to improve quickly and focus on playmaking.
• The Lakers are weighing his early-season role with the possibility of continued NBA–G League shuttling as he turned 21 and received public birthday tributes from Savannah James, LeBron James and girlfriend Parker Whitfield.