Amid all this free agency chaos, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to be playing basketball on Friday. Well, a version of the Lakers will be, at least. That would be the summer league squad.
Summer hoops on deck pic.twitter.com/u91xactHLp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 1, 2026
The Lakers shared their schedules for both the California Classic and the leaguewide summer league action on their socials, as well as the roster that will be competing in July. Notably missing from this year's summer programming: Bronny James.
James has been on the last two summer league rosters for the Lakers. They even notably pulled Bronny from the competition early in 2025 after seeing all they needed to from the youngster before their last game. Him not being on this year's team could signal a similar message.
There are two main ways to interpret James' absence from the 2026 squad. Either the Lakers believe James has done more than enough to not be involved in this year's summer league festivities, or Bronny may not figure into the long-term plans in Los Angeles.
Bronny James could be too good and too proven for Summer League
After playing meaningful postseason hoops with the Lakers in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the franchise may just believe that Bronny is too good to be sent to summer league anymore. That is the simplest conclusion to take away from James not being included on this year's squad.
Bronny only got a spot in the playoff rotation due to the injuries Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered, but it was still encouraging to have moments like Game 3 where James outscored the entire Houston Rockets bench. That ultimately said more about the Rockets' (lack of) depth than it did James, but it was a showcase of growth for the young guard all the same.
The South Bay Lakers (now the Coachella Valley Lakers) have been privileged to watch Bronny's development up close for the last two years. The late-season stretch, including the playoffs, last year brought that to the main roster.
There could just be a feeling here of James not being a Summer League caliber guy anymore.
Bronny James could also be on his way out of Los Angeles
There is also the real possibility that James is not with the summer league squad, because his time with the Lakers is coming to an end. With LeBron James in search of a new team, the possibility of Bronny following is not lost on anyone.
The Lakers did fully guarantee the contract of the younger James for 2026-27, but that decision came right before LeBron's announcement about leaving the team.
Bronny has certainly developed enough as a player for the Lakers to keep him regardless of where his dad goes. However, the franchise is short on draft capital after the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade. They could view this as an opportunity to recoup assets.
James not taking up a spot on the summer league squad could allow the Lakers an opportunity to find another young developmental project. There are more chances for the new guys to shine, along with a few returning faces.
Ultimately, it could genuinely be either one of these two reasons. The answer here will not truly reveal itself until LeBron has chosen his new team.
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