Bronny’s future might not be impacted by LeBron James’ 2026 NBA free agency decision

Follow us on Google Discover

LeBron James going to a new team in the 2026 offseason might not necessarily guarantee that Bronny James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers as well.

Since Bronny entered the league in 2024, it’s been marvelous to see him play alongside his father for two seasons in the NBA.

With LeBron leaving the Lakers, many have assumed the Lakers will inevitably trade Bronny to LeBron’s new destination. However, that might not be the case.

LeBron James’ leaving the Lakers doesn’t mean Bronny will be leaving too

The Athletic’s Dan Woike is reporting that Bronny is very much in the Lakers’ plans going forward, disputing assumptions that he’d inevitably be traded to LeBron’s next team.

“Assumptions that the father and son staying linked going forward are false, according to league sources who were granted anonymity to discuss front-office strategies… Bronny attended the Lakers’ Las Vegas Summer League win Saturday night and is a part of their veteran minicamp that began Monday.”

While the Lakers would obviously try to put this messaging out to increase Bronny’s value in a potential trade with LeBron’s next team, this does seem like a rational plan.

The Lakers have invested considerable resources in Bronny over the last two seasons. They guaranteed his $2.3 million contract for next season before LeBron’s exit was confirmed, but that seemed to be another step in the developmental plan the franchise has carefully had around Bronny.

He was getting minutes in the Playoffs, and no amount of alleged nepotism can get a player that if they haven’t earned it in the eyes of the coaches.

Bronny averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists on 38.6% from three last season in a bit-part role, but had strong moments when the team was battling injuries.

He has outgrown the NBA G League, averaging 15.6 points on 56.4% from the field and 45.6% from three in 14 games last season with the South Bay Lakers.

He can only develop with NBA minutes, and the Lakers might just be comfortable in letting him do that in a rotation with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Cam Carr, and more vying for minutes in the same position.