The Los Angeles Lakers kept Bronny James on their roster to open the 2026-27 season, despite having two clear holes to fill. They cut Dalton Knecht to get down to the maximum 15 players, which leaves Bronny as the next to go. The Lakers clearly need a fourth ball-handler and a backup center. Those issues were glaring during the preseason, and LA should have already addressed one of them.
Bronny is making $2.2 million this season and has a $2.4 million team option for the 2027-28 season. The Lakers are $8.1 million under the first apron where they are hard-capped. Los Angeles could have cut ties with James and signed a free agent big man like Drew Eubanks or Dwight Powell. They could have also traded Bronny for a creator. Inflation in the center market prevented a trade there, but LA had chances to find upgrades.
James had an abysmal preseason that proved it was time to move on. He showed he's not a point guard and is a player without an offensive role. Bronny wasn’t spacing the floor and looked far from a rotation player. There was added opportunity with Collin Sexton out, and James failed every test.
Lakers had enough to land an upgrade despite limited assets
Rob Pelinka traded Deandre Ayton for two second-round draft picks over the summer to give LA three tradeable seconds. They also have a first-round pick swap that could be moved. It is not much after paying a hefty price for Walker Kessler, but the Lakers don’t need game-changers.
They were looking for a reserve big man or a fourth ball-handler. Sexton will be the sixth man when healthy. The Lakers need a better option for whenever Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, or Sexton misses time. They don’t want Jaden Hardy, Chris Manon, or Bronny being forced into that role. None of those players are point guards or lead shot creators. It can’t cost more than one second-round draft pick to land a fourth ball-handler.
The Lakers explored moves for backup big men, but couldn’t find a suitable price in a trade. There were two veteran free agents available that were worth a look given the need.
This could have been Pelinka keeping the powder dry in hopes of finding a better trade closer to the deadline, but the Lakers are missing out on crucial production. The race to finish in the top six in the West for a guaranteed playoff spot will be tight. Every game matters, so the purple and gold should have made a move.
Bronny James just wasted another chance with the Lakers
James averaged 2.2 points, 2.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 turnovers in 16.4 minutes per game. He shot 25.0 percent from the field and made one 3-pointer in five contests. This was in an expanded opportunity. James even got a start in the second preseason game, which quickly turned disastrous.
Jaden Hardy passed Bronny in the Lakers rotation over the final two preseason games. Sexton is getting closer to returning, so Bronny won’t be in the rotation to start the regular season. This preseason might have been his best shot to crack the rotation this year.
The Lakers will need depth. Doncic, Reaves, and Sexton will miss time. Head coach JJ Redick will be forced to go deep into his bench at points, but there is no reason to believe James will deliver. His offensive struggles make it unlikely.
Lakers need all hands on deck to chase a championship
Depth is more important than ever in the modern NBA. The second apron has limited spending and prevented teams from building a Big 3. That has made depth more important. Serious contenders are 10 to 12 players deep. That makes every player necessary when injuries strike.
Bronny James isn’t ready, which is why it was time to move on. The Lakers have clear needs to address. Bronny clearly took a step backward after showcasing some improved shooting last season. He is not ready to contribute, so it is time to move on.
The Lakers remade their roster around Luka Doncic this summer. They wanted to get younger, more athletic, and prioritized offensive versatility. Bronny can’t dribble, pass, or shoot. That is a problem. He isn’t suddenly becoming a point guard, lights-out shooter, or lockdown defender, so the Lakers should move on.
The Los Angeles Lakers should still be looking to plug holes and should have no qualms about moving on from Bronny James. They already made a mistake keeping him into the regular season. The preseason struggles were the perfect reason to move on. The Lakers need to plug their holes ASAP, and it will likely cost them Bronny.
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