LeBron James is officially gone, ditching the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers nearly a month after making his intentions clear on June 30, 2026. He even sent out a social media post thanking LA for his eight-year run. But here’s the kicker, folks: his son, Bronny James, is still firmly on the Lakers roster, and everything points to him staying put.
The Contract That Says It All
Forget all the chatter about Bronny potentially following his dad to Philly. The Lakers just made it crystal clear where they stand, fully guaranteeing Bronny James’ contract for the upcoming season. We’re talking $2.3 million heading his way for the third year of a four-year deal he signed back in 2024. Plus, the Lakers hold a team option for the fourth year in 2027-28. If that wasn’t enough to squash the rumors, his agent, Rich Paul, reportedly told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Bronny and LeBron are “not a package deal” and there’s zero plan to reunite them in Philly. That’s a pretty definitive statement right there, isn’t it?
Building His Own Legacy in LA
The Lakers organization has shown a strong sense of support for Bronny since they drafted him 55th overall in the second round back in 2024. He’s got a real opportunity to build on his second season in the league. As a rookie in 2024-2025, he averaged 2.3 points in 6.7 minutes across 27 games. This past season, he saw a solid jump, playing in 42 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 assists. Head coach J.J. Redick has clearly put more belief in him. “He’s gotten significantly better,” Redick said previously, adding, “Our staff has confidence in him.” Lakers broadcaster Mychal Thompson echoed that on ESPN LA radio, saying, “I really believe Bronny wants to play here in Los Angeles… I say keep him here and let Bronny branch out on his own. He is a grown man now. … I think he is good enough to play in this league for years to come.” He might not have lit up the playoffs as a rookie, playing just two games for a combined four minutes, but this past postseason he managed 1.5 points and an assist in eight games, averaging 5.3 minutes. He was even seen around the team in Las Vegas during the Summer League, even if he didn’t play.
So what’s next for Bronny? He’s on that Lakers depth chart at point guard, slotted in with Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Hardy. With a fully guaranteed deal, an organization that believes in him, and the chance to finally step out of his dad’s shadow, this third year could be where he really shows the league what he’s made of and silences all the noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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