Lakers urged to part ways with Bronny James if he struggles alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers have some decisions to make as the season approaches, especially with the team currently over the roster limit. Fortunately, they still have some time to figure out how they want to handle the situation.

LA is still looking to add pieces to the puzzle, as there are a few roster gaps that need to be addressed. A trade could be made, or someone could be waived, before training camp concludes in October.

“There are, however, obvious holes. With 16 roster spots, the Lakers would need to get rid of at least one player, though they can carry as many as 20 through training camp in October," Heavy.com's Sean Deveney wrote.

If the Lakers do decide to move on from someone, there is already a short list of players who could be affected. Bronny James is one of the names to monitor if the team ultimately needs to make a roster cut.

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

This is a critical proving year for James, who is entering the next-to-last year of his rookie contract. Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes that if James does not fit well alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves early in the season, the Lakers should consider trading him.

“The Los Angeles Lakers should look to trade Bronny James if his shooting improvement proves to be a fluke. There were positive signs of growth, but it is not linear. If he reverts to being a below-average shooter, the Lakers need to move on. His shooting is a swing skill, and the pressure is on Bronny to keep improving his game if he wants to stick in Los Angeles for years to come,” Watts wrote.

James being traded would be an interesting development, as he has the potential to become a legitimate rotational piece for an NBA team. However, the Lakers need players who can complement the strengths of Doncic and Reaves as they look to compete at a high level.

LA has high expectations for the upcoming season, and James will have to play a role in helping the team reach those goals. If he cannot find a way to fit alongside the Lakers' franchise players, the organization could decide there is little reason to keep him on the roster and instead look to get value in return.

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