In a move that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world and ignited a social media firestorm, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially waived rookie guard Bronny James, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The son of NBA icon LeBron James, Bronny was selected by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a selection that was as symbolic as it was strategic. Now, barely weeks into his professional career, his time with the storied franchise has come to a surprising halt.
The decision by the Lakers front office to cut Bronny James is as much about business as it is about basketball — a reality that makes the move all the more complex and controversial. While some see it as a calculated roster adjustment, others view it as a jarring end to what was supposed to be a historic father-son story unfolding on one of basketball’s brightest stages.
Bronny’s journey to the NBA was never a typical one. From his early high school days at Sierra Canyon to his brief but closely watched stint at USC, every move he made was scrutinized under the immense shadow of his father. Though he showed flashes of promise — particularly on the defensive end — his freshman campaign at USC was interrupted by a cardiac arrest episode that threatened both his health and his career. That incident alone made his return to the court a triumph in itself.
By the time the 2024 draft arrived, Bronny was projected by most analysts as a late-second-round pick, if he was to be drafted at all. But the Lakers, holding the 55th pick and fully aware of the family dynamics at play, selected him anyway — a decision that raised eyebrows and sparked debates about nepotism, meritocracy, and legacy.
LeBron James, who had publicly expressed his desire to play alongside his son before retiring, opted into the final year of his contract with the Lakers shortly after Bronny was drafted. At the time, many believed that the franchise’s selection of Bronny was part of an unspoken deal to retain LeBron, even if Bronny’s spot on the roster wasn’t guaranteed long term.
Now, with the younger James waived, the implications go far beyond basketball logistics. Questions loom about what this means for LeBron’s future in Los Angeles, for Bronny’s development, and for the Lakers’ direction in a pivotal offseason.
According to Windhorst, the decision to waive Bronny was driven by multiple factors, including roster constraints, performance in summer workouts, and a broader strategy to reset the team’s bench depth. The Lakers are believed to be aggressively pursuing veteran talent via free agency and trade, and keeping a raw, developmental player like Bronny on the 15-man roster may have been deemed a luxury the team couldn’t afford.
While Bronny showed flashes of defensive intensity, athleticism, and effort during team practices and early summer sessions, scouts and coaching staff reportedly had concerns about his offensive readiness and ability to contribute immediately at the NBA level. In a league where roster spots are at a premium and every decision is scrutinized for title contention impact, potential alone is not always enough.
Still, for a player so closely tied to the identity of the Lakers’ biggest star, the optics are staggering. Never before has a father and son shared the same NBA team — and now, that milestone seems unlikely to ever materialize in purple and gold.
LeBron James has not yet publicly commented on the team’s decision. Sources close to the James family say the move was “not unexpected,” but that it has left LeBron “deeply disappointed.” It remains unclear whether this will influence his future with the franchise. The 20-time All-Star and four-time champion has until later this summer to decide whether to extend his deal, request a trade, or explore other options as he nears the end of his storied career.
From a broader perspective, the move to waive Bronny is likely to be interpreted in a number of ways. For some, it’s a necessary basketball decision made by a franchise that cannot afford sentimentality in the face of its championship aspirations. For others, it’s a tone-deaf dismissal of a young player who deserved time to develop and who brought a unique marketing and cultural boost to the Lakers’ brand.
Indeed, Bronny’s presence on the roster — however brief — generated massive interest. His Summer League jersey was among the top sellers in June. Lakers practices featuring Bronny were media spectacles. The father-son narrative dominated headlines and added new excitement to a team in transition.
The Lakers’ front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, is expected to face tough questions in the days ahead. Did they overpromise to LeBron? Did they cave to pressure by drafting Bronny in the first place? And perhaps most importantly, where do they go from here?
Bronny James, for his part, now faces the daunting task of continuing his NBA dream without the safety net of his father’s franchise. It’s a return to meritocracy, and one that could ultimately serve him well. With the right G League assignment or opportunity on another roster, he can develop out of the spotlight and carve a path based on performance alone.
It’s worth remembering that many NBA players — even future All-Stars — have had rocky starts. Bronny’s intangibles, defensive instincts, and willingness to learn have already impressed many scouts. While his offensive game remains a work in progress, his fundamentals and mental makeup give him a foundation to build on. There’s also the possibility that another franchise will sign him to a two-way contract, intrigued by both his upside and his off-court marketability.
LeBron, of course, will continue to be a focal point. If he remains in L.A., the waiving of Bronny could strain relations with team management. If he chooses to leave, it would mark the end of one of the most iconic chapters in franchise history — one that included a 2020 championship, multiple MVP-level seasons, and countless records shattered.
For fans, the moment is bittersweet. The idea of LeBron and Bronny sharing the floor was more than a marketing hook — it was a generational moment, a father and son making history together in the NBA’s most glamorous franchise. That dream, at least for now, has been paused — perhaps permanently.
The road ahead for Bronny is uncertain but not closed. He is expected to receive offers from other NBA teams, particularly those looking to develop young talent without the pressure of immediate contribution. The G League remains a strong option, as does continued training with elite development staff.
For the Lakers, the decision to move on from Bronny signals a return to hard-nosed roster calculus. It’s a reminder that even the most powerful narratives can’t override roster realities. It also places the spotlight squarely back on Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office, who must now navigate a pivotal offseason with scrutiny from the league, media, and the James camp.
The emotional fallout of this move will take time to settle. For now, Bronny James enters the next chapter of his basketball journey — away from the familiar halls of Crypto.com Arena, away from the protective orbit of his father, and into the proving grounds of professional basketball.
He may no longer be a Laker, but his story is far from over. If anything, this unexpected turn might be the very thing that helps Bronny step out of the shadow — and into a path that’s entirely his own.