The Warriors may be looking at LeBron James, but the latest wrinkle in the story involves his son, Bronny.
Golden State is clearly in the market for help, and James remains the kind of player the team would welcome if it could make the deal work. The bigger issue is that the Warriors don’t have a realistic path to the top-tier options they’d probably prefer, which is part of why James has become such an appealing name in the conversation.
Still, any move involving LeBron brings another layer with it: Bronny James. For a while, there was a real question about whether the Lakers would simply move on from Bronny if his father landed elsewhere. That does not appear to be the plan right now.
“One quick additional note: Don't expect LeBron's son, Bronny James, to instantly go wherever dad does, reports Dan Woike at The Athletic. After a couple of years of work, Bronny has developed into a player who looks like he could someday be an NBA rotation player.
He has taken big strides to get there, and while there's a long way to go, the Lakers have been impressed and like him. They reportedly are not looking just to dump him wherever Dad goes,” Kurt Helin wrote.
If Golden State did end up having to carry Bronny too, that doesn’t sound like a dealbreaker. The Warriors would still have to sort out the roster fit, but the idea of Bronny filling a 14th or 15th spot and contributing when needed would not be a major obstacle if that’s what LeBron wanted.
In Other News...
Lakers May Already Have Their LeBron Wing Answer In House
The Lakers have spent the offseason reshaping the roster around Luka Doncic, including the trade for Walker Kessler and a few other additions, but the front office is still looking for more wing help. Jonathan Kuminga remains a reported free-agent target, which makes sense given the teams need for size, athleticism and two-way versatility on the perimeter.
At the same time, rookie Cam Carr has started to draw real attention during Summer League, giving the Lakers something to monitor internally as they sort out the rotation. Summer League coach Ty Abbott has talked about building Carrs confidence and putting him in situations that resemble the kind of bench or spot-minutes role he would see with the Lakers, while former player Isaiah Thomas has pointed to Carrs shooting, playmaking and floor spacing as traits that could matter sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers May Have To Sacrifice A Piece For Their Next Move
The Lakers are still working through the shape of their next roster move, and the front offices interest in Jonathan Kuminga has already pushed the discussion beyond a simple free-agent add. With 15 players currently on the roster, any meaningful upgrade may require some maneuvering, whether that means opening a spot another way or finding a deal that clears the path for a new piece.
Matisse Thybulle has also surfaced as a possible perimeter-defense target, which fits the kind of role the Lakers have been trying to sharpen around the edges. Meanwhile, the Summer League has offered a few encouraging signs, with Arthur Kaluma and Cameron Carr standing out as the team sorts through both immediate needs and longer-term depth. [Read more 🡒]
Derek Fishers All-Time Lakers Five Included One Bench Twist Fans Will Debate
Derek Fisher spent some time revisiting Lakers history on the D-Fish & Decker show, and the Hall of Fame-caliber lineup he put together was the kind that instantly invites arguments. Fisher went with Magic Johnson at point guard, Kobe Bryant at shooting guard, Jerry West at small forward, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at power forward and Shaquille O'Neal at center, a five that blends eras and leaves almost no room for easy disagreement.
The real debate, though, comes once the starting group is set. Fisher said LeBron James would be his preferred bench piece for versatility, a choice that adds another layer to an already loaded roster and underscores just how many greats have worn purple and gold. He also weighed other familiar names before landing there, which only makes the exercise more interesting for Lakers fans who could spend all day reshuffling the pieces. [Read more 🡒]
