Bronny James is now locked in for the full $4.3 million on his Lakers deal. That’s according to Keith Smith, who reported the rookie guard’s contract has become fully guaranteed. Next season alone, Bronny will make over $2.2 million, with a team option hanging out there for the 2027-28 campaign. Sportrac has the breakdown.
Which is fine timing, given that his dad is out here ghosting the Lakers front office. LeBron James has reportedly not met with the team since free agency opened June 30. He’s keeping every option on the table. Again. A Lakers exit, a retirement, a move to some other contender — it all seems to be in play, and the guy is 41 years old.
Golden State’s push for LeBron is real
The Warriors want to pair LeBron with Stephen Curry for one more run. They’ve been aggressive about it. Multiple reports say Golden State is pushing for a trade involving Anthony Davis, with Jimmy Butler as the primary piece they’d be willing to move. That’s a complicated deal, obviously. But the ambition is there.
Draymond Green opting out of his $27.7 million player option for next season adds another layer. The expectation is he’ll come back on a more team-friendly deal, which would free up cap space for Golden State to throw a serious offer at LeBron. Green and LeBron have been close for years. That matters.
Bronny’s spot is not automatic either way
Even if LeBron stays with the Lakers, Bronny could still end up spending another season bouncing between the G League and the bench. Critics have pointed out all along that the only reason Bronny is on an NBA roster is his father’s influence. That narrative isn’t going away. The kid averaged 1.6 points in 23 games last season. He’s not ready. The full guarantee just makes the nepotism angle that much louder.
The Lakers have tried to set up meetings with LeBron. He hasn’t shown up. That’s the kind of silence that usually means something. Whether it’s Golden State, retirement, or some other surprise, nobody outside LeBron’s camp really knows. But the clock is ticking, and the Warriors are standing there with a clear plan and a willing roster to reshape.
For now, Bronny’s money is safe. The rest of this family saga? Not so much.
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