The Los Angeles Lakers guaranteed Bronny James’s contract for 2026-27 even after LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2026. Bronny, 21, earns $2.2 million on a 16-man roster that must trim to 15 before opening night. Los Angeles is also pursuing Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga, 6-foot-7, while insiders Tyler Watts and Dan Woike say the Lakers value Bronny’s locker room standing.LeBron James packed for Philadelphia this summer, ending a two-season run with his son on the same NBA roster. Bronny James did not follow him east. The Lakers guaranteed his contract before his father even signed with the 76ers, and nothing since has suggested they plan to move on from the 21-year-old guard, even as his name keeps surfacing in trade chatter.The chatter is based on Jonathan Kuminga, the Golden State forward the Lakers have chased for weeks while retooling around Luka Doncic. Los Angeles has offered up other roster pieces first, but insiders say none of those packages have moved the needle. Bronny’s guaranteed money and the team’s open roster spot now make him one of the more realistic trade chips left on the roster, even if the front office would rather keep him.
| Category | Details |
| Player | Bronny James |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Rumored Team | Golden State Warriors (via Kuminga sign-and-trade talks) |
| Contract Status | Guaranteed for 2026-27; team option for 2027-28 |
| Salary Cap Hit | $2.2 million |
| Trade Likelihood | Low, but rising if a Kuminga deal advances |
| Latest Insider Update | Lakers reportedly seeking real value in any trade involving him, per Dan Woike of The Athletic |
Will the Lakers trade Bronny James away?
Bronny James. Image via: Al Bello/ Getty Images
Los Angeles had a clean window to send Bronny to Philadelphia, or anywhere else, once LeBron’s exit became official. Obviously, nobody made that call, at least as of now. The team locked in his contract for 2026-27 before free agency even opened, and no source has connected him to a specific trade since. At 21, with two uneven NBA seasons behind him, he remains on the roster by design, not oversight.Tyler Watts wrote for LakeShowLife, “The Lakers currently have 16 players under guaranteed contracts and will have to trim their roster to 15 before the regular season opener. There is no word of Bronny being on the chopping block.”
Are the Lakers actively pursuing Jonathan Kuminga?
Jonathan Kuminga. Image via: Jesse D. Garrabrant/ NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles needs a starting power forward before training camp opens, and ex- Hawks and Warrior star Kuminga fits that hole. The Lakers have shopped Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy to trim the 16-man roster to 15, but rival teams have passed on those packages so far. That stalemate is what keeps Bronny’s name circulating anywhere near the Kuminga talks.
Why the Lakers intend to keep Bronny James despite LeBron James’ departure?
The front office’s own moves argue against a Bronny trade. Los Angeles cut ties with eight players from last season’s roster, including Deandre Ayton, while leaving Bronny’s option untouched. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported the younger James is “well-liked in the Lakers locker room and a respected worker.” Tyler Watts of LakeShowLife put it plainer: “the fan favorite isn’t going anywhere as long as he keeps improving.”
How could Bronny James ‘ situation impact a Jonathan Kuminga deal?
Watts has also floated Bronny as the asset that finally gets a Kuminga package accepted, since offers built around Vanderbilt, Knecht and Hardy have drawn no takers and the roster is short on movable pieces. Nothing in the Lakers’ recent behavior supports that outcome, but a team boxed in on tradable value has fewer options left than it did in July.Kuminga’s situation figures to move first, one way or another, before then. Until it does, Bronny keeps his locker, his $2.2 million salary and a level of job security nobody expected in July.