Lakers' Bronny James gets key announcement on NBA future with LeBron contract update

Jan 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Bronny James (9) look on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bronny James didn't make it to the NBA just because his dad is LeBron.

But he probably did land specifically on the Los Angeles Lakers because of that fact.

And that looks like it'll stay true for at least another season.

LeBron opted-in to his $52.6 million player option on Sunday.

Bronny is still under contract for two more seasons with the Lakers, with a club option after that. And with his pops coming back to L.A., Bronny should be, too.

If LeBron had chosen to opt-out, it would've opened the door to a potential Bronny trade to whatever LeBron's new destination was.

Now, Bronny gets a chance to build on a promising first season.

MORE: Lakers trading LeBron James seems to be a door left open

Remember that Bronny didn't get a normal freshman season at USC due to heart issues. So that didn't prepare him to hit the ground running in the pros.

But by season's end, Bronny had scored 39 points in a G League game and 12 points in an NBA game. He'll never be his dad, but he's a decent basketball player.

Reports earlier this offseason indicated that Bronny's role may grow in his second season, and now it looks pretty certain that he'll get the continuity of staying with the same organization and seeing how he can build on his solid start.

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