A recent report suggesting the Lakers still believe in Bronny James has drawn plenty of eye-rolls from NBA fans, especially with LeBron James now headed to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that Los Angeles remains optimistic about Bronny and intends to keep him on the roster, even after his father’s departure. Woike wrote, “The belief in Bronny James the person/player is genuine,” adding, “Of course the Lakers knew drafting him would make LeBron happy, but they've always been intrigued by his athleticism and length (despite his size), and since he's been in the building, they've raved about his work ethic and how he handles all the craziness that comes with being LeBron James Jr.”
That explanation didn’t land with everyone. Some fans were quick to argue the Lakers’ interest has less to do with what Bronny has done on the floor and more to do with everything around his name.
“The belief is in the Jersey sales, Marketing and name in his back man smh stop it lol,” @nubianman1977 said.
Bronny is preparing for his third NBA season after putting up 2.7 points and 1.1 assists over his first two years. Even with the Lakers adding guards such as Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Ziaire Williams, his path to a much bigger role looks thin.
His preseason has done little to change that outlook. Through four games, he has averaged 17.5 minutes while posting just 2.8 points per game on 26.6% shooting and turning the ball over 3.0 times per game.
His roughest night came on Oct. 13 against the Golden State Warriors. Bronny finished scoreless, coughed up four turnovers, and the Lakers fell 101-89.
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Williams status is the detail that makes the conversation more interesting, because he recently returned to full practice after dealing with a foot issue. That alone gives him a real chance to factor into the opening-night mix, especially if the team wants to see how his fit looks alongside Doncic and Reaves before settling on anything permanent. For now, the early competition is still open, but the idea of Williams pushing for a starting role has made the lineup battle worth watching a little more closely. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Get A Different Warriors Test Than Anyone Expected Opening Night
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For Los Angeles, that matters because the Warriors are trying to shore up their second unit while injuries have thinned out parts of the lineup. Charles Bassey is also slated to be in that opener rotation, giving Golden State a deeper and more experienced bench group than the Lakers may have been preparing for when the schedule first came out. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Still Have A Roster Decision Hanging Over Luka's New Core
The Lakers have already made the biggest pivot of the post-LeBron era, reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as they look ahead to the 2026-27 season. With several new faces in place and a 53-29 finish still fresh in the backdrop, the organization is clearly treating this next stretch as the beginning of a different identity, one built less around legacy and more around what this new core can become.
Even with that direction set, there is still unfinished business on the roster. NBA insider Brett Siegel reported the Lakers are exploring trade options for Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht, with Knecht viewed as unlikely to be part of the long-term picture, leaving at least one more decision hanging over a group that is otherwise trying to settle in before preseason and the regular season arrive. [Read more 🡒]