The Los Angeles Lakers are keeping Bronny James, but the pressure is fully on the 21-year-old to earn his spot with the franchise. The decision is made, and the 76ers don’t have room for Bronny. He wasn’t going anywhere with his famous father on the Lakers' roster. Now, the only reason to keep him is that Bronny is helping Los Angeles chase a championship. That is some serious pressure, especially with his contract situation.
Bronny is set to make $2.2 million this season, and the Lakers have a $2.4 million team option for the 2026-27 campaign. They would have no issues moving on. LA wants real value in return, but it is not like they’d have to attach draft capital. Bronny’s value is at least neutral, but much will hinge on the upcoming season.
The 6’2 guard significantly improved last year. He consistently made jumpers and showed flashes of being a strong role player in the G League. Bronny couldn’t crack the Lakers rotation, but made strides. Can he keep improving, or does he play his way off the Lakers? The pressure is on him to prove himself.
Pressure ramps up on Bronny James with LeBron James joining the 76ers
LeBron wanted the Lakers to draft his son and pushed for him to get a four-year contract. LA was investing in King James as much as his son.
They have spent two years developing the 21-year-old, and he’s made fans among some of the Lakers coaching staff. Bronny won’t be a young player forever. His rookie contract is half over, and it is time to start producing on the NBA floor.
The pressure would have ramped up this season regardless, but it is magnified with LeBron gone. Los Angeles didn’t want to anger King James or create a rift with him. Those days are over. LeBron chose to leave the Lakers and sign a minimum contract with the Sixers. This is Luka Doncic’s team now, and he has no reason to want Bronny on the roster unless he is helping LA win.
The door is open for Bronny. The Lakers completely revamped their roster this offseason, and the younger James is suddenly tied for the third-longest tenured Laker with Dalton Knecht. They signed Collin Sexton to be the first guard off the bench. Beyond that, it is rookie Cameron Carr, Jaden Hardy, Ziaire Williams, and Dalton Knecht challenging Bronny for minutes in the backcourt.
LeBron’s son has to prove last season's shooting was no fluke, upgrade his defense, and play with confidence. The Lakers don’t need him to be a primary creator or lights-out shooter. They want Bronny to play hard and make an impact with his versatility. He is already doing it in the G League. They just need the third-year guard to translate it to the next level.
The pressure ratcheted up on Bronny James when LeBron James decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is joining the Philadelphia 76ers. It is on Bronny to prove he deserves his roster spot. There is nobody left to do it for him. All the pressure and work must come from the young guard. Fans are rooting for him and will be watching closely to see how it all plays out.
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