The Los Angeles Lakers brought in an influx of new players to overhaul their roster from the team that made the second round back in May. At least six of their regular rotation players for this season were not on the team last season, but one of the holdovers was Bronny James.
Many wondered when LeBron James left the Lakers and joined the Philadelphia 76ers if that was the end of Bronny’s time with the Lakers. But L.A. fully guaranteed his contract and have given no signals that they are moving on from the defensive-minded guard. In fact, James is now the third-longest tenured Laker, something he joked about when discussing the 2026-27 season.
“I was thinking about that, like me and the coaches pretty much,” James said on ESPN L.A. “It’s crazy. I’ve got a bigger voice in the gym right now, and it kind of feels weird.”
While having a bigger voice in the gym, James also has plenty to work on in his game. He is a known defender, but remains an incomplete offensive player with potential. He’s hoping this offseason helps unlock some of that.
“All across the board, I’m trying to get better this year,” James said. “I’m playing with Luka (Doncic) and (Austin Reaves), still, so I’m gonna be off-ball when it’s needed. I’m going to be able to need to knock down shots and create for others, and I think I’ve been doing a good job of that this summer.”
What he’s working on leads in perfectly to what he believes his role with the Lakers will be.
“I feel like I can be a secondary ball-handler to Luka and AR, and generate whatever offense, catch-and-shoots, pick and roll offense and stuff like that. I pride myself on being an all-around player, whatever is needed I’m up for it.”
The Lakers are going to need defensive-minded players who are willing to do whatever is asked of them on the offensive end as they build out their future around Doncic and Reaves, and James has the potential to fit that exact mold. What he does with a bigger voice and potentially greater opportunity this season will be hugely telling for the type of player he can be.
Ziaire Williams saw Lakers as best fit
A player who absolutely will play a similar role, but at the forward position, for the Lakers is Ziaire Williams. He’s also an athletic, defensive-minded wing who has shown prowess to be able to play an offensive role, even if he has work to do there.
He saw the Lakers as the best fit in free agency for that reason, similar to how James feels he can impact the team.
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