None of the Los Angeles Lakers' second- or third-stringers played particularly well in the 101-89 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas on Tuesday. 

The Warriors outscored the Lakers 51-26 in the second half, erasing a double-digit halftime deficit. 

However, arguably no Laker had a more forgettable outing than third-year guard Bronny James. 

In just 11 minutes, James posted a team-low -18 plus-minus, largely due to the four turnovers he committed. He shot 0-for-2 from the field and added one rebound and one steal. 

"I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us, [but] I don't think he has played well in the four preseason games," head coach JJ Redick said afterward. 

Bronny has gotten some good burn in preseason, playing extended minutes in all four games. He recorded 20+ minutes in the two games leading up to the Warriors' defeat. 

However, he hasn't fully taken advantage of his opportunity. 

Despite showing promise in the Lakers' 114-110 win over the Sacramento Kings last Thursday, where he posted 4 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal in 22 minutes, James has struggled to find rhythm on the hardwood. 

Averaging a measly 3.7 points per game on 27 percent shooting from the field—without making a three-pointer (0-for-7)—Redick says it is not all on Bronny.

"He's had good practices," Redick added. "Some of it is just rhythm; some of it is who he's playing with. He's played a lot of minutes, especially in second halves of games, with our two-way guys... So, some of it is the group he's with not necessarily setting him up for success." 

But ultimately, it's Bronny's job to make an impression and earn his keep. 

Well, to start, Bronny was never going to come into the NBA and be a force multiplier. Not early in his career, at least. 

Therefore, judging him by the way he makes the players around him better or worse is unfair. He's not a true point guard. He's a combo guard who's trying to make his money as a two-way disruptor. 

That said, his three-point shooting needs to improve significantly.

However, his turnovers and playmaking struggles, alongside players who will likely see few to no minutes in the regular season, are not a direct indictment of the impact James can have in the league. Ball handling won't be his responsibility on this Lakers team. 

Though he should do a better job of it against fellow fringe-roster competition, as he showed he can in the G League. 

It remains to be seen how and if Redick uses James in his rotation to start the season. The Lakers will tip off their campaign against these same Warriors at home on Wednesday.

They will face the Denver Nuggets on Friday to close out their preseason.

That could well be Bronny's final chance to stake a claim. If he doesn't, he may struggle to find playing time once the real basketball gets underway, especially with the Lakers' offseason backcourt moves.