One Lakers decision could be the opening the 76ers need if they want to bring LeBron James and Bronny James back together.
Philadelphia is already boxed in roster-wise and can’t really add anyone else unless it clears out a spot by moving one of the players currently on the lineup. That has made a reunion with Bronny look unlikely, even with the younger James still under contract with the Lakers. But if Los Angeles decides to leave him off its opening day roster, the door cracks open.
The expectation is that the Lakers will use training camp to figure out whether Bronny belongs on the final roster, even if LeBron is no longer there. Chris Mañon, who plays the same position and is believed to have a higher ceiling, is thought to be competing with Bronny for that last spot. If Bronny gets waived, Philadelphia could step in and make a move.
For the 76ers, the path would still require some housekeeping of their own. They would likely have to cut one of their players, most likely Jabari Walker, to create the cap space needed to bring in Bronny. If that happens, the logic is simple: the 76ers should be ready to act quickly.
LeBron and Bronny already made history as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time. A championship run together in Philadelphia would take that story to another level. That possibility is still alive, at least if the right sequence of roster moves plays out.
There’s also the optics of it all. But Philadelphia already landed James on a minimum deal, and the idea here is that the 76ers should be willing to return the favor by giving LeBron what he wants most: a chance to play and win with his son as he moves through what could be his final season.
None of it is fully in Philadelphia’s control. But if the Lakers make Bronny available, the 76ers would have every reason to jump.
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