The Lakers’ latest roster move has done more than add another wing defender. It has reopened a path that could matter to the Warriors and any other team still chasing LeBron James.
Los Angeles signed veteran wing Matisse Thybulle on Monday to a one-year, $3.3 million contract, even though the team already had 15 players under contract for next season. That leaves the Lakers with a roster crunch they’ll have to solve before the year begins, either by trading or waiving someone to get back to the 15-man limit.
That’s where Bronny James comes back into the conversation.
There has already been speculation that he could be the odd man out, and the reasons are easy to see. His father left the franchise three weeks ago, and The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported last week that the idea Bronny would automatically follow LeBron to his next team is not a given. On top of that, Bronny’s $2.3 million contract is the second-lowest on the roster, behind Adou Thiero, who turned heads in summer league by averaging 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 48.5% from the floor.
The fit issue is only getting tighter. Bronny has been viewed as a defense-first player, but the Lakers have now added two notable wing defenders in Ziaire Williams and Thybulle. That creates even more crowding for minutes next season, and it’s easy to see why a waiver or trade is being viewed as the simplest path, even if Los Angeles would have to absorb a small cap hit if no deal is made.
For Golden State, the door is still cracked open. Based on Woike’s reporting and comments LeBron has made recently, there doesn’t seem to be a strong push for father and son to team up again elsewhere. But if that changes, the uncertainty around Bronny’s spot in Los Angeles gives the Warriors - or whichever team lands LeBron - a possible route to bringing both Jameses aboard.
The question for Golden State is straightforward: would it use a roster spot on Bronny, who remains unproven at the NBA level, if that helped secure LeBron on a cheaper contract while he’s still playing like a top 15-20 player in the league?
For now, the Warriors and the rest of the league are still waiting on LeBron’s decision. Thybulle’s arrival has only added another layer to the speculation, and Bronny’s future is back in the mix.
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Warriors Suddenly Have A Backcourt Decision They Can't Ignore
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Cryers latest statement came in the summer league championship game, where he played through an ankle injury and still helped carry the offense. Golden State also has mutual interest in a reunion with free agent Gary Payton II, which only adds to the squeeze as the front office weighs roster spots, contract conversions and which kind of guard it wants to prioritize heading into the next stage of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]