Bronny James finally has the chance to become something more than LeBron James’ son on the Lakers roster now that he’s with the 76ers, and Rich Paul already made it clear that they aren’t a package deal. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne also reported that there’s no current plan or request for Bronny to follow his father to Philadelphia, so the Lakers can now judge the 21-year-old guard only as a basketball player and asset.
That makes his situation way more interesting, especially after Lakers beat writer Khobi Price said the franchise is “more than happy” to keep Bronny and that it would take “something real” for them to trade him. So the Lakers shouldn’t trade Bronny just because LeBron left, because that would make it look like they never really believed in him and only used a draft pick to keep his father happy. At the same time, they can’t become emotional about a player who averaged 2.9 points either. If another team is willing to send a serious multi-draft-pick package, Rob Pelinka should absolutely listen.
My answer is yes, the Lakers should be open to moving Bronny now, but only if “multi-draft-pick package” means picks with actual value and not two random second-round picks expected to land around No. 55.
Bronny James Finally Showed Real Progress
Bronny James still isn’t close to being a proven NBA rotation player, but his second season was much better than his first one. He appeared in 42 games and averaged 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in fewer than nine minutes per game, shooting 40.9% from the field, 38.6% from three, and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
Those numbers obviously aren’t special, but the shooting improvement is important because Bronny’s path to becoming a useful player was always going to be defense, athleticism, and catch-and-shoot threes. He isn’t tall enough to become some dominant isolation scorer, while Doncic and Austin Reaves will control the ball whenever the games matter, so Bronny needs to become a guard who defends, makes open shots, and moves the ball quickly.
His G League production showed more offensive upside, with Bronny averaging 15.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for South Bay. He looked more comfortable creating from pick-and-rolls, attacking the rim, and taking jumpers without thinking for two seconds before releasing the ball.
Bronny also received some playoff minutes this past season, appearing in eight games and averaging 1.5 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. The production was still small, but the Lakers trusted him for bigger stretches in Games 3 and 4 against the Rockets, which wouldn’t have happened during his rookie season.
That progress explains why the Lakers don’t want to dump him now. They selected Bronny at No. 55 in 2024, spent two seasons developing him, and recently guaranteed his $2.3 million salary for 2026-27. His full deal is worth around $7.9 million across four years, so he remains extremely cheap for a young guard with some defensive potential.
Still, improvement doesn’t automatically mean the Lakers need to keep him forever.
Turning The No. 55 Pick Into Multiple Picks Would Be Great Business
Bronny might eventually become an important role player, but there’s also a real chance he remains outside the main rotation for this season. The Lakers now have Doncic, Reaves, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Bronny competing for guard minutes, while Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams can handle minutes on the wing. The roster has been built around Doncic with defense, shooting, and pick-and-roll finishers, and Bronny isn’t ahead of those veteran guards right now.
Doncic will probably play around 35 minutes per game, while Reaves is expected to become the clear second option after LeBron’s exit. Sexton was added to provide scoring and pressure at the rim, while Grimes gives the Lakers a much more established two-way guard. Unless injuries happen, Bronny could once again spend most nights playing fewer than 10 minutes or returning to South Bay.
That isn’t a terrible situation because he is only 21, but it also means his development could become slower. Another team might value Bronny more because it can give him 20 minutes, allow him to make mistakes, and use his popularity to create extra attention around a rebuilding roster.
The Lakers are trying to win now, so they don’t really need to protect every young player as if they are still rebuilding. Draft picks can also be easier to use in trades than Bronny himself, because another front office might not believe in him but will always value a second-round pick or a first-round pick.
Two picks could become part of a larger package for another defender, shooter, or frontcourt player before the deadline. In that situation, trading Bronny wouldn’t mean choosing future assets over Doncic’s championship window. It could actually help the Lakers turn one developing guard into a veteran who is ready to play important minutes now.
The Lakers Still Shouldn’t Accept A Weak Deal
Calling something a multi-pick package can make it sound much better than it really is. Two second-round picks from an elite contender could both land between No. 50 and No. 60, which wouldn’t be enough for the Lakers to give up a player they already know, like, and developed for two years.
Bronny is cheap, under team control, and showed legitimate improvement as a shooter. Players earning only $2.3 million are important for expensive teams because they can fill a roster spot without creating major salary problems, and the Lakers would still need to replace him after a trade.
There is also no pressure to make a decision now. Bronny’s value could increase if he enters the rotation and proves his 38.6% shooting from three wasn’t just a small-sample jump, while another year of defensive development could turn him into the type of low-cost role player every contender wants.
The Lakers also shouldn’t trade him only to separate themselves from LeBron. That would be bad asset management and a little unfair to Bronny, who has continued working with the organization, attended Summer League games, and participated in the Lakers’ veteran minicamp after his father’s exit.
Philadelphia also isn’t pushing for a reunion, so there’s no need for the Lakers to do a favor for LeBron or the 76ers. Bronny now has to build his own NBA career, and remaining with the franchise that already understands his strengths and weaknesses might be the best basketball situation for him.