The Los Angeles Lakers only have to keep Bronny James on their roster if he is the best possible option for the spot after LeBron James told the franchise he wouldn’t return. LeBron wanted to play with his son, so the Lakers drafted Bronny in the second round in 2024. King James loved every second of it and got some extra juice whenever his son would play alongside him. Bronny was untouchable until LeBron said he’s gone.
King James hasn’t signed yet, but he won’t be back. The Lakers renounced his cap hold and can only offer a minimum contract after making other moves. LeBron is playing elsewhere next season and will likely ask for his son to join him. Los Angeles would have to be enticed to give up Bronny, which could be a sticking point in the trade.
The 21-year-old is no longer an unquestioned part of the Lakers roster. Bronny is making just $2.2 million this season and has a team option in his contract for the 2027-28 campaign. LA could dump his contract in a trade him at any second, which means the 6’2 guard has to prove he belongs on the roster.
Bronny James must prove he belongs on the Lakers with LeBron James gone
Bronny keeps improving, but he has failed to crack the nightly rotation in his first two NBA seasons. He showed growth as a shooter, but the undersized guard struggled on defense and had a negative value over replacement player (VORP).
It is now or never for Bronny. The Lakers want to win a championship and must maximize their roster around Luka Doncic to make that a reality. That means LeBron’s son has to contribute to winning, or it is time to move on.
The purple and gold are making a contingency plan. They traded for Jaden Hardy this offseason. He is another young guard that LA could develop. Hardy could slot into Bronny's roster spot immediately and has a better chance to stick in a contender’s rotation right now.
This isn’t a no-brainer decision. Bronny has shown some flashes, but the negatives outweigh the positives right now. The Lakers want to build a title roster around number 77. They can’t afford to let Bronny hesitate to take open 3-pointers and play subpar defense. The Western Conference is loaded with top-end talent. The Lakers must enter the playoffs with a top four seed to make a deep run, so every game matters.
Bronny must show the franchise he’s making another leap and is a serious contender to join the rotation. LeBron’s son is a fan favorite, but Los Angeles can’t just rely on that. Bronny has to prove he belongs in the rotation every night. So far, that hasn’t happened, but growth isn’t linear. All the Lakers can do is keep developing his game and hope for the best.
The Los Angeles Lakers are no longer LeBron James’ team, which means Bronny James has to prove he is ready to help to stick on the roster. It will take another leap. Without it, the 21-year-old is glued to the bench or in a different city. The Lakers are building around Luka. If a player doesn’t fit, they should move on.
It is championship or bust during Doncic’s prime, and Bronny has to prove he belongs quickly. If not, the fan favorite will be wearing a different uniform in short order.
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