Will Bronny James Stay With The Lakers Now That Dad Is Headed To Philly?

LeBron James‘s decision to leave Los Angeles for Philadelphia settles one lingering NBA offseason question while opening another: what happens now to his son, Bronny James, who remains under contract with the Lakers even as his father heads elsewhere.

The younger James enters his second pro season with a $2.48 million team option for 2026-27 still on the books in Los Angeles. With his father no longer part of the roster, speculation initially centered on whether the Lakers might look to move on from Bronny entirely or whether a reunion in Philadelphia made sense.

Neither scenario appears especially likely. The 76ers already have a crowded backcourt and little incentive to pursue a trade, while the Lakers, for their part, would want real value in any deal rather than simply cutting Bronny loose — making a straightforward retention on his existing, cost-controlled deal the more probable outcome.

Complicating any hypothetical move to Philadelphia is a wrinkle involving one of LeBron’s new teammates. Jaylen Brown, whom the 76ers acquired earlier this summer in a blockbuster trade, drew attention in 2024 for dismissive comments about Bronny’s NBA readiness, telling WNBA star Angel Reese during Bronny’s Summer League debut that he didn’t think the younger James “is a pro.”

LeBron referenced the remark publicly himself in February, saying his relationship with Brown had otherwise been “pretty respectful, besides the [expletive] he said about Bronny at summer league.”

Despite that history, Brown reacted warmly to the news of LeBron’s signing, posting his now-familiar “throw the ball up” catchphrase on social media once the move became official — a sign, at least publicly, that any tension has cooled.

For now, the more mundane outcome looks likeliest: Bronny stays with the Lakers on his existing option, continuing to develop apart from his father for the first time in his young career, while LeBron begins a new chapter in Philadelphia alongside Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Whether the awkward history between Brown and Bronny ever becomes relevant again may simply depend on whether the father-son reunion scenario resurfaces down the road.