When LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers, he ran the decision past his family. He did not run a long meeting with the teammate who shared his locker room.
That teammate is his son.
Bronny James said Monday at Lakers media day that the two men barely discussed the move.
“We’re men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we’re going to do and how we feel about each other. So, it wasn’t really much [discussion] to be honest with you,” Bronny explained.
LeBron spent eight seasons in purple and gold, won a title in the 2020 bubble, and made history when Bronny joined him in 2024 as the first father-son pair to play together in an NBA game. This summer he chose a 24th season somewhere else.
Bronny stayed. His $2.3 million deal for this season is guaranteed. He is listed as a guard behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after 42 regular-season games and eight playoff appearances last year.
Bronny on the Lakers exit
Bronny framed the split as just two careers going their separate ways, not a family rupture.
“He’s got his own path, and I got my own. He knows that I want to make a name for myself, and I want to continue my career and keep growing as a player. And he knows that I want to focus on that,” he said. “So, he decided to do that.”
He also pointed at the name on the back of the jersey, suggesting he wanted to carve out his own path in the league. Which is laughable, since everyone knows no NBA team would have drafted him without his father.
“You guys know me as Bronny. My real name is LeBron. I’ve been doing this for however long,” Bronny said. “It’s a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron.”
“You guys know me as Bronny. My real name is LeBron. I’ve been doing this for however long, so I think it’s a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron.”
— Bronny James
(h/t @LALPerformance) pic.twitter.com/GzF8Yux9z7
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 29, 2026
The most famous player of his generation consulted the family on Philadelphia and left the son, who was actually on the same roster, mostly out of the conversation.
The Lakers’ coaching staff and front office have nine new players and a roster built around Doncic. Doncic called the departure sad and said playing with LeBron was “amazing.”
The franchise is in its first season without James since 2017-18. Bronny is still here, on a cheap guaranteed contract, trying to look like a rotation guard instead of a subplot.
Christmas brings the first meeting
Bronny said he is happy for his father and curious about Philadelphia’s season. The calendar already marked the reunion. The Lakers host the 76ers on Christmas in Los Angeles.
“I’m happy for him and excited to see where their season goes,” Bronny James said. “I’m excited to see him on Christmas. I’m excited to play against him on Christmas, so that’s going to be good.”
Until then, the story on this side of the hallway is small minutes and a big last name. LeBron went east while Bronny remains out west.
Rusty Weiss is a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys, and Xavier Musketeers fan. He has been writing professionally … More about Rusty Weiss