The Los Angeles Lakers signed Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract after Saturday’s win over the Warriors. He gives the franchise another young combo guard with upside, and fans saw during his ten-day contract that Bufkin will pass Bronny James in head coach JJ Redick’s pecking order. Fans had hope after the Gabe Vincent trade, but the writing is on the wall for Bronny.
The Lakers signed Nick Smith Jr. after he was waived and played him over LeBron’s son in the early part of this season. Now, Bufkin has been dominating the G League and gets his shot ahead of Bronny. The organization clearly has no trust in the former second-round draft pick. Bronny has just $1.2 million guaranteed for next season, and the Lakers appear ready to move on.
LeBron’s status with the Lakers plays a role in Bronny’s. The superstar wants to play with his son, but the inevitable breakup feels likely in the offseason. If King James goes elsewhere, his son won’t stick in LA. The franchise keeps making that clear.
Kobe Bufkin's signing all but guarantees Bronny James departure in the offseason
Bufkin’s two-year contract features a team option, so the Lakers can quickly move on. The 6’4 guard has his shot to prove he belongs for the rest of this season, but his play doesn’t impact Bronny.
Los Angeles is comfortable signing a guard off the street and playing him over the younger James. They have done it twice this season, and Bronny has given the Lakers no reason to think otherwise.
He averages 1.9 points and 1.1 assists in 6.8 minutes per game this season. Bronny is shooting 38.8 percent from the field and has gotten most of his production in garbage time. There is not much in the tape to get excited about.
The biggest problem is his lack of a standout skill. Rob Pelinka loves players with one elite skill, even if they struggle everywhere else. Bronny is not that type of player. He can make plays, defend on the ball, run the offense, and is a willing shooter. None of those are elite weapons, though.
The Lakers have Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James on their roster. Their star trio will handle most of the playmaking and scoring responsibilities. Bronny and others must fit around what the stars want to do. That has been a struggle for multiple players, but some are rounding into form.
Bronny James must improve his play to have any shot of sticking with the Lakers beyond this season. The front office prioritized cap space to be aggressive in remaking their roster around Luka. That means adding 3-and-D wings and a rim-protecting center. To get those pieces, LA’s current talent must go, and that likely includes Bronny.
The Los Angeles Lakers clearly do not see Bronny James as a piece of their core. It was clear when they signed Kobe Bufkin over filling a need in the buyout market. They will have Bufkin ahead of LeBron’s son in the pecking order, and it is time to explore a new home for Bronny.
That is the only way LeBron’s son is going to maximize his potential. It will be easier said than done, but some team may accept the challenge. Expect to only see Bronny in blowouts for the rest of the season, and he will likely be gone in the summer.