Bronny James bracing for inevitable fate after LeBron's Lakers exit

LeBron James is still with the Los Angeles Lakers. It just doesn't happen to be the one most fans were thinking of.

The four-time NBA champion informed the Lakers he wouldn't return for a ninth season, but he left his older son, Bronny, in Southern California. James informed the Lakers of his decision less than 24 hours after Bronny's $2.3 million salary was guaranteed for the 2026-27 season. He might've been playing chess and not checkers to ensure some financial stability for his son. However, they might not be apart for long.

Bronny James might follow LeBron to his new team

According to ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, James' camp will most likely push to keep the family together in James' next stop.

"LeBron has spoken at length about how meaningful it has been to be teammates with his son, and those feelings only grew late last season when they shared the court in competitive games," McMenamin wrote. "It's easy to think the James family would want that connection to continue."

While the Lakers can decide to keep him and continue his development under head coach JJ Redick, the expectation is that he will ultimately be traded to his father's next team.

"Once LeBron makes his decision on his next team, there could be a subsequent move made with Bronny," McMenamin added.

Given Bronny's draft profile and apparent lack of takers, fans and analysts have always questioned LeBron's influence in ensuring the Lakers drafted him. Now, bringing him along to wherever he may land will only push that narrative further, and it won't do Bronny or his reputation any favors.

Also, forcing your new team's hand to part ways with assets, wherever they may be, to give Bronny a roster spot when he might not even play much might not be the best way to tip off LeBron's final stretch in the league. Bronny is a Laker for now. Whether he'll stay one remains to be seen.