LeBron James made it clear he wanted to play in the NBA with his son. The Lakers made that happen by drafting Bronny James. Now that LeBron is leaving Los Angeles, Bronny’s future with the Lakers is suddenly much less clear.
With LeBron informing the Lakers that he will play elsewhere during the 2026-27 season, attention quickly shifted to what the decision means for his son. Bronny is entering his third NBA season and remains under contract with Los Angeles after the remainder of his salary for next season became fully guaranteed.
That detail matters.
Bronny is set to make more than $2.2 million next season on the four-year deal he signed after the Lakers selected him with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. While his future has always been viewed through the lens of playing alongside his father, the Lakers are not required to move him just because LeBron is leaving.
In fact, keeping him may be the simpler option.
Bronny has made gradual progress since entering the league. After spending much of his rookie season developing with the South Bay Lakers, he appeared in 42 games during the 2025-26 season and earned limited playoff minutes against the Rockets and Thunder. His numbers remain modest, but his 3-point shooting improved, and he has shown signs of becoming a useful defensive guard off the bench.
For a Lakers team now moving forward around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, cheap backcourt depth still offers plenty of value. Bronny is not expensive, is still only 21 and has a team option for the 2027-28 season.
The more complicated scenario would involve Bronny joining LeBron’s next team.
Golden State has been heavily linked to LeBron, especially after Draymond Green declined his player option to help create flexibility. If the Warriors also make a push for Anthony Davis, they would likely need inexpensive contracts around a top-heavy roster built around Stephen Curry, LeBron, Davis and Green. In that case, Bronny’s low salary could make theoretical sense.
But the Lakers would have to cooperate in a trade. And they are no longer in the business of keeping James content.
For now, the most likely outcome is that Bronny stays in Los Angeles and continues trying to carve out his own NBA role.
LeBron’s Lakers chapter is over. Bronny’s may not be.