An executive from a Western Conference team expressed his belief that Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James would be best served by spending a full season in the NBA G League.

“There will be so much internal pressure on him to move up from the G League, but he shouldn’t spend a single minute with the Lakers this year,” the manager told ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.

Holmes quoted another West manager who said James was still developing as a player.

“I think there’s the foundation there for a defensive-minded combo guard, but we’ve never seen it blossom,” they said. “We won’t have this conversation with a different last name. That is simply a fact. His resume is sketchy at best. He came here because of the last name. Now is the time to see and evaluate this decision. That’s what we’re going to do.’ I can do it in three years, but unless it requires serious, dedicated time in the G League, I don’t think he has a chance.

James’ first year at USC never got off the ground after he suffered cardiac arrest during an offseason practice. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 appearances and shot 36.6 percent from the field, including 26.7 percent from distance.

The 1.95 meter tall guard didn’t show much in the Lakers’ two preseason games either. In 29 total minutes, he recorded two points on 1-of-7 shooting, as well as three rebounds, one assist, five turnovers and three blocks.

Former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported in July that the Lakers could let Bronny play with his father, LeBron James, early on before sending him to the South Bay Lakers, their G League affiliate, where he would spend most of the season would spend.

Aside from the fact that the G League is currently closer to the 20-year-old’s talent level, a move to the South Bay would inevitably mean the level of control is much lower. His performances in the G-League would garner a lot of attention, but nowhere near the level of him constantly sitting on the bench or fighting to help Los Angeles on its way to the championship.

Putting Bronny and LeBron on the court together in Sunday’s 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns was undoubtedly a great moment, but his long-term development must be the Lakers’ top priority.