Writer pens hypothetical trade sending Lakers' Bronny James to NBA contender — and it's not the 76ers

The Los Angeles Lakers let one LeBron James walk away in free agency, but they managed to keep the other.

Contrary to speculation, James' arrival in the City of Brotherly Love wasn't a 2-for-1 package that included his firstborn, Bronny James.

The former USC player is still under J.J. Redick's guidance, but, as a fringe rotation player, he might also be used as a trade chip to round up the roster.

According to Heavy's Adel Ahmad, the Lakers could even send him to their lifelong rivals, the Boston Celtics, in a three-team trade to add another big man.

The Lakers could use Bronny James as a trade chip

"Lakers receive: Clint Capela, Jordan Walsh and a 2031 second round pick (via HOU, with ATL swap rights). Celtics receive: Bronny James Rockets receive: Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht," Ahmad wrote.

In this scenario, the Lakers would find some insurance for the injury-prone Walker Kessler, giving Luka Doncic another pick-and-roll specialist and defensive-minded big man, with Walsh and a second-round selection as sweeteners for the deal.

They would also part ways with Dalton Knecht, a sharpshooter who looked like a Rookie of the Year contender before his failed trade saga nixed his confidence in Los Angeles.

As for Bronny, he'd take his defensive expertise to another championship contender, joining the long list of players who have suited up for the two winningest franchises in basketball history.

Of course, this is a;; hypothetical, but it gives us a glimpse of the many ways the Lakers could still use Bronny to find help for their rotation, and it's hard to believe they'll want to keep him for the long run, now that his father is gone.