
Bronny James Dismisses Trade Speculations as He Prepares for Second Season with Lakers
Bronny James is focusing on his training as he enters his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, while dismissing rumors regarding his father's future with the team.
Despite attempting to stay away from social media, Bronny James received a call this week from a friend inquiring about LeBron James’s views on the Los Angeles Lakers and what it could mean for Bronny’s future.
“I said, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’” Bronny mentioned, smiling after practice with the Lakers’ NBA Summer League team. “I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. There’s a lot of stuff going around that I don’t pay attention to.”
Bronny appears focused on avoiding distractions as he dedicates his summer to improving his game and proving himself during his second year with the Lakers.
LeBron has opted to exercise his $52.6 million player option to continue with the Lakers this season, but his agent, Rich Paul, made cryptic remarks emphasizing LeBron’s ambition to win a championship while the Lakers are also looking towards the future, particularly with Luka Doncic.
Bronny isn’t concerned with potential trades, focusing instead on contributing as the Lakers signed center Deandre Ayton to fill a pressing need.
Last season, LeBron and Bronny made history as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA. At just 20, Bronny acknowledges that he remains uncertain about his future.
“We don’t really talk about that much, but I think when stuff like that does come up, he just tells me to not worry about it, not even pay attention to it,” Bronny stated. “Just lock in to what you have going on right now, and that’s what’s going to get me better and keep me focused. I think it’s good that he tells me not to pay attention to that stuff.”
Returning to the NBA Summer League, Bronny aims to capitalize on last year’s experiences and is enthusiastic about playing in front of the Lakers’ passionate fanbase in Las Vegas.
“Last year it was a crazy environment for me to step in and produce right off — being nervous, too,” Bronny expressed. “I feel like this year I’ll be able to go out and play freely and know what I’m going to go out there and do for me and my teammates. I’m just really excited to be able to play nervous-free.”
Bronny has also been dedicating effort to his physical conditioning, having reduced his weight to 215 pounds, aiming for longer playing stints with sustained energy. This focus comes in light of his previous health scare two years ago when he experienced cardiac arrest during a summer training session at USC.
“I think that side of confidence just comes with time, and being able to go through or endure myself at a longer rate of time,” he noted.
Additionally, Bronny reiterated his commitment to being a defensive asset, even if scoring isn’t his primary focus at this stage.
“I can’t lose that defensive drive that will get me on the floor,” he said. “To get myself on the floor, I have to be a defensive menace, and that’s my main focus.”
Unfortunately, Bronny won’t be teaming up with Adou Thiero in Las Vegas due to Thiero’s recovery from a knee injury. However, he is anticipated to be ready for the training camp.