Bronny James’ – LeBron James is set to leave the Lakers for the 2026-27 season, hours before free agency opens Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. That shift has fans turning to Bronny James—now entering his third season—where contract details, guaranteed money, and possible Warriors roste
LeBron James didn’t wait for free agency to start feeling real. Hours before the market opens on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, James’ agent, Rich Paul, informed the Lakers that James will be playing elsewhere for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN.
Even before that direct message, speculation had already been running hot—especially the idea that James could join the Golden State Warriors. That possibility seemed to pick up steam when Warriors star Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season on Monday.
That move matters because it could loosen Golden State’s finances enough to pursue James—and. as rumored. to trade for Wizards star forward Anthony Davis. If both happened, the idea floated was a “Big Four” of Stephen Curry, James, Davis and Green. There are still major hurdles—like trading Jimmy Butler’s $56.8 million expiring salary to acquire Davis—but Green declining his option was one of several steps in that direction.
For Bronny James, all of it lands on a tougher question: what happens to his path with the Lakers if his father’s time in Los Angeles is about to end?
June 29 set the stage for Bronny’s next move. That date marked the deadline for players to accept or decline their player option. and for teams to decline an option themselves if there is a team option. It was also part of a larger set of contract timing decisions. including deadlines for some players to have their contracts guaranteed for next season.
Bronny is set to make $2.29 million this upcoming season thanks to the four-year. $7.89 million contract he signed after being selected with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Heading into this summer, $1.25 million of his $2.29 million salary is guaranteed. By not cutting the younger James, the rest of the contract became fully guaranteed.
The structure is worth understanding because it affects what the Lakers can do. Traditionally, first-round picks have team options after Year 3 and 4. Second-round picks are different: most players selected in the second round are given two-way contracts. but it isn’t uncommon for them to receive a standard guaranteed deal instead. That’s why some players—picked later in the draft—can end up with guaranteed offers if that destination is favored by their camp.
The contract backdrop helps explain why LeBron’s departure doesn’t automatically erase Bronny’s future. LeBron previously had a player option to ponder ahead of the 2024 summer. and the Lakers were also looking for a new coach at the time. Los Angeles hired JJ Redick, and LeBron signed a two-year, $101.3 million deal with a player option for this past season. He played out the final year and is now an unrestricted free agent.
Bronny’s rise in the meantime has come in steps. His road to being in the Lakers’ playoff rotation earlier this spring was described as two years in the making—and longer if you go back to his time at USC. While the scrutiny that comes with being LeBron James’ son has followed him through his short career. the playoff minutes were earned.
After playing 27 regular-season games last season, Bronny appeared in 42 during the 2025-26 campaign, while also splitting time with the South Bay Lakers. His development has been tracked through his shooting and his ability to earn real moments when games demanded it.
This is where his numbers matter: Bronny shot 38.6% from the 3-point line on 1.4 attempts per game. He also earned playoff minutes in the Rockets series. In limited minutes against Houston. he did exactly what many around the league would hope to see from him long-term—a role that fits as a 3-and-D guard who can come off the bench and make an impact.
There’s another reason the Lakers keeping Bronny is not just sentimental—it’s practical. His contract is described as minimal, with a team option for next season. Even if LeBron leaves. developing Bronny while he’s playing on essentially a league-minimum contract is the smart play. because the financial risk stays low.
But the question keeps pulling back to one possibility: if LeBron lands in Golden State, could Bronny follow?
For the Warriors, signing James and acquiring Davis would create a salary crunch. The Warriors would be top-heavy in their payroll. especially once you factor in a new deal for Green. the $62.58 million cap hit from Stephen Curry next season. and Davis’s $58.4 million salary for this season. That’s why the scenario that comes into focus is not guaranteed-star money for Bronny—it’s a league-minimum fit.
If Bronny’s deal doesn’t become fully guaranteed by the Lakers, the Warriors could make him a low-cost bet. The idea would be simple: take a swing on a player who has already shown signs of being a productive rotation piece in the NBA.
The most likely path in this story remains tied to the Lakers—because Bronny returning depends heavily on whether Los Angeles guarantees the remainder of his $2.29 million deal. If it happens, then the “join his dad” version of the rumor becomes less likely. If it doesn’t, Golden State’s leverage grows.
For now, one thing is clear: LeBron’s next uniform is no longer a guess. The market is about to open, his agent has already told the Lakers where he’s headed for 2026-27, and the rest of the league is watching what happens next.
Bronny’s future is the part of that domino chain fans will feel most personally.
LeBron James Bronny James Los Angeles Lakers Golden State Warriors Draymond Green Anthony Davis Jimmy Butler Rich Paul NBA free agency contract guarantees