When Bronny James was selected 55th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, many were quick to classify the pick as a nepotism hire. Some will still make that argument today, counting down the days until the Los Angeles Lakers dump their young guard. That crowd is in for some bad news.
LeBron James made it clear he is taking his talents elsewhere for the 2026-27 season, opting to exit from Los Angeles. Speculation quickly followed about Bronny following LeBron to wherever that next destination is. Dan Woike of The Athletic stepped in to clarify that banking on that exact outcome is far from the foregone conclusion that some believe it is.
"Assumptions that the father and son staying linked going forward are false, according to league sources. ... LeBron’s departure from the Lakers after eight seasons isn’t viewed as anything related to Bronny’s standing with the team."
In their two years of having Bronny around, it appears the Lakers have come around on the idea of the younger James having a spot on the team no longer being a favor to the older James. That is something the more skeptical Lakers fans out there will have to wrestle with moving forward.
Bronny James has more than earned his roster spot with the Lakers
The eerie quietness on June 29 should have spoken volumes to everyone. The deadline to release James, and save about $1 million against the cap, came and went without so much as a peep coming from the Lakers to suggest they were even truly considering the option.
Woike added that anything could still happen, with relation to this situation, but the Lakers beat reporter did highlight that Bronny is well-liked in the locker room. The hard work James has put in over the last two years to improve had not gone unnoticed by the organization and everyone within it.
Remember, Bronny played real playoff minutes last year. It may have been due to the missing bodies in front of him, but James did see meaningful time on the court. The Lakers guard even delivered a memorable Game 3 performance.
The message here is clear: the Lakers like Bronny.
If LeBron's next suitor does want to reunite father and son, it will take genuine trade negotiations to make it happen. The Lakers may have broken up with one member of the James family this summer, but that does not mean they are eager to make it two.
The Lakers have acknowledged the upside that comes with allowing Bronny to keep developing within the organization. His harshest naysayers have to wrestle with that reality.
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