Jaden Hardy has clearly passed Bronny James in Lakers rotation after the preseason

Tyler Watts of Lake Show Life argues that Jaden Hardy has overtaken Bronny James in head coach JJ Redick's Los Angeles Lakers rotation following the preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets. With backup point guard Collin Sexton sidelined by a leg injury, Redick selected Hardy over James off the bench in the final two exhibition games, solidifying Hardy's standing as the preferred reserve guard option.

James struggled throughout the preseason, averaging 2.2 points per game while shooting 4-of-16 from the field across five appearances. Watts asserts that Hardy provides much-needed bench scoring and shot creation behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, noting that James faces mounting pressure to improve offensively to secure his long-term future in Los Angeles.