NBA legend Charles Barkley has slammed the Los Angeles Lakers over its handling of LeBron James’ newly-drafted son, Bronny James.

The eldest son of the future NBA Hall of Famer was picked 55th overall by the Lakers. It allowed James to achieve a lifelong dream of playing alongside his son before he retires. However, the Lakers have decided that James Jr. will play in the G-League with an affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, but for home games only.

But when South Bay hits the road, James Jr. does not travel and is called back up to the Lakers’ NBA roster. Barkley says the Lakers’ decision isn’t allowing James Jr. to hone his craft, with the 20-year-old not ready for the NBA yet.

“The kid is not ready to play in the NBA,” Barkley said in a recent appearance on The Bettor Angle. “He should be in the G League so he can play basketball.

“And also, this thing where he’s only gonna play home games. It’s stupid, it’s not fair to him. It’s not fair to the team. Can you imagine the coach of that team? You come off a road trip and you have a player you haven’t seen in a week or two.

“And then you probably feel like you gotta play him. I don’t think they are doing Bronny any favors. They have just handled this thing very bad. It’s a bad look for the Lakers. I really like everything LeBron has done. But it’s a bad look for him [too], in my opinion.”

Lakers coach J.J. Redick confirmed back in late Oct. that James Jr. splitting his time between the NBA and the G-League was always the franchise’s plan. “The plan for Bronny to move between the Lakers and South Bay has always been the plan since day one,” Redick said. “[General manager Rob Pelinka] and I have talked about that. LeBron’s talked about that.”

James Jr. only plays home games for South Bay

James Jr. only plays home games for South Bay ( 

Image:

Getty)

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith took shots at the father-son duo too. Smith believes James’ social media boycott has more to do with protecting James Jr. than being tired of confronting his own critics. “LeBron James electing to get off of social media. Is that because of you, LeBron James, or is it because of your son, Bronny James, and his struggles?” Smith said.

“Truthfully speaking, it only makes sense that it’s Bronny James,” Smith continued. “Not to be redundant, but I think it’s necessary to be that way, Bronny James doesn’t belong in the NBA.

“Not yet. Some people say never. I don’t believe that. I think the kid has a chance… but he’s not ready yet.”