Lakers Turn Heads With Surprise Bronny James Decision on Saturday
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Lakers trade buzz heats up: LeBron & Bronny talk sparks Cavs, Jazz involvement
The Los Angeles Lakers could send LeBron James and Bronny to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Utah Jazz as a third-party facilitator. The Lakers would receive Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Lonzo Ball, and a future draft pick from Utah. ESPN’s Bobby Marks has argued that a trade is wildly improbable. LeBron is 40 years old, commanding a $53 million salary, and bound by a one-year deal with a no-trade clause, factors that nullify most trade interest.
While it sounds like a wild fantasy, the proposal has sparked serious conversation among analysts and fans alike.
The origin of this trade buzz comes from a discussion on The Bill Simmons Podcast where Simmons floated the idea of LeBron and Bronny heading to Cleveland.
What elevated the scenario was the inclusion of a third team, Utah, aimed at resolving complex salary cap and roster constraints for all teams involved.
Anatomy of the proposed multi-team trade
Under the blueprint outlined, LeBron’s massive $52.6 million player option and Bronny’s rookie deal would shift to the Cavs. To balance salaries, Cleveland would send Darius Garland and Rui Hachimura to Utah, while the Lakers would receive Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Lonzo Ball, and a future draft pick from Utah.
Bill Simmons stressed that this trade is more than pie-in-the-sky. “Utah gets Darius Garland… the Lakers get Clarkson, Ball, Collins… and Utah has to throw a pick or two… because ultimately they’re getting Garland.”
While Garland isn’t deemed untouchable, Simmons admitted he doubts Cleveland would give him up lightly.
Why the Lakers might entertain it, and why it’s complicated
LeBron’s decision to pick up his player option for 2025-26 stirred ripples throughout the league. The Lakers now find themselves “in Luka mode,” according to Simmons, already pivoting around Luka Doncic and may feel pressure to reconfigure their roster.
However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks has argued that a trade is wildly improbable. He notes that LeBron is 40 years old, commanding a $53 million salary, and bound by a one-year deal with a no-trade clause, factors that nullify most trade interest.
For LeBron, a homecoming to Cleveland carries emotional weight. Chairman of his career narrative, Akron-born James revived the Cavaliers before leading them to the 2016 NBA title.
A send-off in familiar territory, possibly alongside Bronny, would be poetic.
Yet Cleveland, managing its own salary cap tightrope, would struggle to absorb LeBron’s massive contract without offloading key players like Garland or Evan Mobley.
LeBron James exemplifies Celtics’ star to inspire Bronny: ‘Everybody’s road to success is different’
Bronny James struggled to perform at the expected level during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Head coach JJ Redick gave Bronny’s year an A+, praising how well he handled pressure and stayed committed to improving. A Western Conference executive told Athlon Sports that the franchise might have already made up its mind about Bronny James’ future. Backed by general manager Rob Pelinka’s emphasis on developing young talent, Bronny has a real opportunity to carve out a bigger role in the rotation. With Los Angeles focused on building a deeper bench, he could be in line for more meaningful minutes. LeBron James reveals he looks to a Boston Celtics player’s journey as motivation for Bronny.
“I sent this (on) June 18, 2024…I’ll tell you who this guy is after I read this, ‘Unranked in high school. Zero D-I scholarship offers. Played three years of Division II basketball at UCCS. Transferred to Colorado. And now is an NBA champion on one of the best teams in the NBA.’ That guy is Derrick White…Hell of a player. And my message was … everybody’s road to success is different. So stay locked in and patient,” LeBron James confessed, via Mind the Game podcast.
While the criticism has been constant, Bronny James has showcased a true evolution with the South Bay Lakers, averaging an impressive 21.9 points per game. His all-around contributions, including 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, have caught the attention of Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who has praised his progress on multiple occasions.
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Los Angeles Lakers may have made a final decision on Bronny James’ future with the team
Despite playing a limited role during his rookie season, Bronny James may still have a future with the Los Angeles Lakers. After their season ended, head coach JJ Redick gave Bronny’s year an A+, praising how well he handled pressure and stayed committed to improving. Shortly after, a Western Conference executive told Athlon Sports that the franchise might have already made up its mind about his future.
Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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“I don’t think there’s any doubt that’s their plan (Bronny James being part of the rotation)…I know the guy gets a lot of grief because of who his dad is, but we’ve seen a lot of tape on (Bronny) and the fact is, he was a lot better player in April than he was in October, and definitely in July,“ an executive said.
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see also LeBron James’ son Bronny opens up about the pressure of his rookie season with the Lakers
The upcoming offseason and preseason will be crucial for Bronny James as he looks to earn a permanent role with the Lakers. Backed by general manager Rob Pelinka’s emphasis on developing young talent, LeBron James’ son has a real opportunity to carve out a bigger role in the rotation. With Los Angeles focused on building a deeper bench, he could be in line for more meaningful minutes.
Lakers Turn Heads With Surprise Bronny James Decision on Saturday
Lakers Turn Heads With Surprise Bronny James Decision on Saturday. The Lakers opted not to dress James in the game against the Golden State Warriors. Many expected James to play in the team’s summer slate as he fights for a spot on the roster next season. Former G Leaguer DJ Steward had the chance to shine, scoring 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
The Los Angeles Lakers got their summer league action started in the California Classic on Saturday, but second-year guard Bronny James is still waiting to hit the floor.
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The Lakers opted not to dress James, the son of Lakers star LeBron James, in the game against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers went on to lose 89-84, and after the game some fans expressed surprise that James was not given the chance to play.
As Caleb Hightower of The Sporting News noted, the Lakers had not given any advanced notice that James would not be in the lineup.
“Entering the day, there was no indication that Los Angeles would sideline James to begin Summer League action,” Hightower wrote.
Many expected James to play in the team’s summer slate as he fights for a spot on the roster next season. The former USC guard, who split last season between the Lakers and the team’s G League affiliate, said he has been working hard to get in good shape this summer.
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“I’m just running a lot,” James said. “Getting a lot of conditioning in … it’s just Year 2, so I’ve got to lock in on the things that I didn’t know before my rookie year and excel with that.”
With James watching Saturday’s game in street clothes, former G Leaguer DJ Steward had the chance to shine, scoring 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
Related: Bronny James Breaks Social Media Silence After NBA Summer League
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Los Angeles Lakers fan’s casual interaction with Bronny James turns heads with wild reactions
NBA fans drag in one of the most enduring debates of the sport’s history, featuring LeBron James and Michael Jordan. A fan candidly posts a picture with LeBron’s son, Bronny James, in Hawaii. The picture went viral across different social media platforms and ignited responses from fans. One of the users wrote, “The whole Bron fam was at Hawaii man i wish i was there” Another user wrote, “Bronny really still a kid” A section of users started bringing up the age-old debate of the GOAT of the NBA.
LeBron James
and
Michael Jordan,
after a fan candidly posts a picture with LeBron’s son,
Bronny James
, in Hawaii.
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The eternal debate of who is the greatest of all time between the two players has seen arguments in favor of both players, creating a constant shuffle in the occupant of the first place between them.
Bronny, who plays alongside his father as part of the
Los Angeles Lakers
, has shown his skills on the court time and again.
Fans react to the viral post featuring Bronny James, wishes to be in Hawaii the same time like the Bron family
LeBron James and Bronny James have been setting both records and goals playing as the father-son duo as part of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite the disappointing loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron managed to rack up a season average of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists. Bronny, on the other hand, did not make many appearances in the games and managed to end the season run with a lower average.
With the season being over for the Lakers, the James family seems to be taking some time off from the world of sports and enjoying a vacation in Hawaii.
A fan recently clicked a picture with LeBron’s son as well as teammate Bronny James. The picture went viral across different social media platforms and ignited responses from fans, which also dragged in the name of Michael Jordan and the never-ending debate of the GOAT of the NBA.
The post received responses from the fans who regret missing the opportunity of getting to meet the entire Bron family in Hawaii. One of the users wrote, “The whole Bron fam was at Hawaii man i wish i was there”
Another user wrote, “Bronny really still a kid”
A section of users started bringing up the age-old debate of the GOAT of the NBA. One of them wrote, “Tell him that his daddy will never be like Jordan!”
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An impressive career record from both players has kept the audience and fans of the sport divided over the issue of NBA GOAT. While for fans, Jordan is more capable, according to analysts, based on facts, LeBron James has surpassed the former in becoming one of the best players in the league.