Lakers predicted to part ways with $7M 6-foot-2 historic 3-and-D guard to clear roster spot

The Los Angeles Lakers will head into next season without LeBron James for the first time in nine years. It marks the beginning of a new era in Los Angeles, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves now leading the franchise.

The Lakers have been active throughout the offseason, making moves in both free agency and the trade market. Now, one of the biggest questions surrounding the team is whether it could move Bronny James.

“Bronny James has more than made his case to be separated from LeBron James. Despite that, there are those still out there who believe his future will be tied to his father when the time comes. It would be one of the easier ways for the Lakers to shed one member of the roster. Any team attempting to lure LeBron can use Bronny as a leverage point. That would even give Los Angeles their own upper hand in the kind of trade return they can get for the young guard,” Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.

The Lakers also need to clear a roster spot after the moves they have made this summer. Lakers insider Jovan Buha identified James as one of the players Los Angeles could potentially part ways with.

“Clearly, the Lakers need to dump someone, and I think it's going to be one of three players," Buha said. "It's going to either be Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Bronny James."

During his first two NBA seasons, James has already made league history. In his rookie season, he and LeBron became the first father-son duo to appear in the same NBA game.

“When LeBron James made history two seasons ago, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, his eldest son, Bronny, was sitting courtside along the baseline. On Tuesday night, in the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron and Bronny made history by being on the court together,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote.

While it may not be one of the NBA's most significant records, it is still a historic milestone that will forever be part of the league's history. Sharing that moment with his father made the accomplishment even more memorable.

James is currently on a $7 million contract, making him an affordable option for any interested team. If the Lakers ultimately decide to move him, it would likely be to improve roster construction and create flexibility rather than simply because LeBron is no longer with the franchise.

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