Lakers Weigh Options for Bronny James After LeBron’s Move to Philadelphia

The Los Angeles Lakers must decide the future of rookie forward Bronny James now that his father, LeBron James, has confirmed a move to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026-27 season. Bronny remains under a guaranteed contract for the upcoming season, but the deal does not obligate the Lakers to keep him on the active roster. The franchise is reportedly evaluating whether to retain him, trade him, or use him as a roster-slot lever in a broader multi-team transaction.

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A speculative three-team trade outlined by the report would send Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht from Los Angeles to the Milwaukee Bucks, while the 76ers would acquire Bronny James. The Denver Nuggets would receive Kevin Porter Jr. from Philadelphia, and the Lakers would obtain wing player Cameron Johnson from Denver. The arrangement would reunite Bronny with his father in Philadelphia, though no formal request from either player has been confirmed.

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Bronny’s contract is guaranteed for the next season, but it does not count against the active roster limit, giving the Lakers flexibility to move him without creating a cap burden. Cameron Johnson, a 30-year-old wing, is owed roughly $23 million for the upcoming season and will become an unrestricted free agent the following summer. The Nuggets, facing Johnson’s sizable salary, would have incentive to trade him now to avoid losing him for only a second-round pick in a direct deal.

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For the Lakers, acquiring Johnson adds a high-impact wing who can stretch the floor and shoot at a career 39.6 % from three-point range, complementing the core built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. For the 76ers, adding Bronny provides a low-cost, deep-rotation player while also creating a father-son storyline that could boost fan interest. The Nuggets would gain Kevin Porter Jr., addressing their own roster needs.

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The Lakers remain above the 15-player roster limit and may view moving Bronny as a means to open a slot. While no concrete trade has been announced, the report suggests that discussions could evolve in the coming weeks as the franchise seeks a return beyond a mere second-round pick. Any eventual deal would need to balance salary considerations, roster flexibility, and the potential on-court impact of the players involved.

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