The Lakers turned over their roster this summer, and with the moves came a new reality in Los Angeles: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves now sit at the center of the team’s direction. LeBron James, meanwhile, moved on after eight seasons in LA and headed to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote. "James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania."
For Bronny James, that shift changes everything. For the first time in his young career, he’s without his father in the same NBA locker room, and he sounds ready to turn that into an opportunity. The third-year guard said he’s looking forward to what comes next.
“It's something different for sure. I'm excited for the experience. Experience something different with him not being here and to see how the staff treats me without him being here,” Bronny said.
Bronny has spent most of his basketball life attached to one of the biggest names in the sport, and he made it clear at media day that he wants the focus to move onto his own game. The second-round pick said he wants to be recognized on his own terms.
“You guys know me as Bronny. My real name is LeBron. I've been doing this for however long, so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron,” Bronny said.
There’s a growing belief that this could be a breakout year for him, especially after the work he put in over the summer. It will also be his third season under JJ Redick.
In Other News...
Lakers Teammate Just Pushed Luka Doncic Into A Wild New Debate
Training camp has opened with new faces around Luka Doncic, and even before the first preseason games, the conversation around the Lakers newest star is already turning lofty. Sandro Mamukelashvili added fuel to it during an ESPN Radio interview, praising Doncic as perhaps the best offensive player in the league right now, a kind of compliment that carries extra weight when it comes from a teammate seeing the day-to-day version up close.
The debate, of course, is bigger than one sound bite. Doncics scoring and playmaking have long invited comparisons to names like Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, but the final line in his rsum still separates him from the all-time standard-bearers: he has not yet led a team to a championship. For the Lakers, that makes every rave review feel both natural and loaded, because admiration is easy in September, while the real test comes when the season starts asking for more than highlights. [Read more 🡒]
Austin Reaves Sounds Convinced Lakers Finally Fixed Their Biggest Weakness
Austin Reaves spent part of training camp sounding like a player who thinks the Lakers may have finally addressed the issue that has lingered around them for years. After finishing last season 15th in team defensive rating and ninth on offense, Los Angeles entered the 2025-26 campaign knowing it needed more stopgap help on the other end if it wants to be taken seriously as a title threat, and the new arrivals have quickly become part of that conversation.
Reaves pointed to Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero and Walker Kessler as additions who bring length, competitiveness and defensive versatility to a roster that could use all of it. The optimism around camp is understandable, but the real question is whether the Lakers can turn those traits into a consistent identity once the games count, because for all their scoring, their championship case likely hinges on whether the defense is finally ready to hold up. [Read more 🡒]
Luka Doncic Had Austin Reaves Cracking Up At Lakers Practice
Luka Doncic brought a little extra energy to Lakers practice, and Austin Reaves could only laugh at it. While Reaves was doing a media interview, Doncic stepped in and drilled a flurry of half-court shots, turning the session into an impromptu shooting display and briefly stealing the rooms attention.
Reaves commented on the streak in the moment, and the video backed it up by showing Doncic make four of five attempts from beyond half court. It was a small snapshot, but it fit the easygoing chemistry and competitive banter the two have already shown while working together this season, with both players carrying meaningful roles for Los Angeles. [Read more 🡒]