Bronny James addressed LeBron James’ move from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers with a brief response: “It’s whatever. It’s my dad.” The 21-year-old guard remains with the Lakers after becoming the first player to share an NBA roster with his father.
LeBron and Bronny made NBA history in October 2024 when they became the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game. Their pairing became one of the league’s most unusual storylines before their paths separated during the 2026 offseason.
Bronny’s response was short and personal
While signing autographs during a Lakers offseason trip to Slovenia, Bronny was asked by a fan about his father joining the 76ers. His answer was simple: “It’s whatever. It’s my dad.”
The five-word response drew attention because it came after weeks of discussion about whether Bronny could follow LeBron to Philadelphia. Instead, the 21-year-old guard stayed with the Lakers, leaving father and son on different teams for the first time in Bronny’s NBA career.
LeBron’s Philadelphia decision changed the equation
LeBron officially joined the 76ers in July after eight seasons with the Lakers. Philadelphia announced the signing on July 27, confirming that the four-time champion and all-time NBA scoring leader would begin his 24th season with the franchise.
The move gives LeBron a dramatically different supporting cast, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. For Bronny, the change creates a clearer opportunity to build a basketball identity without his father on the same roster.
The two Jameses already made NBA history
It’s important to remember how unusual the previous two seasons were. LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA game together when they shared the floor for the Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves in October 2024.
They later became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA playoff game when Bronny appeared alongside LeBron against Houston in April 2026. That history makes Bronny’s decision to remain in Los Angeles even more significant now.
The father-son chapter has already produced milestones no one else has reached, and the next phase will be about what Bronny can do when the relationship is no longer part of his nightly basketball routine.
Fun fact: Bronny was born in Akron, Ohio, on October 6, 2004, the same city where LeBron was born. He later attended Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles before playing one season at USC.
Bronny now faces a different kind of spotlight
Bronny’s second NBA season brought more playing time and opportunities, but his role remained limited. He appeared in 42 regular-season games for Los Angeles and averaged 2.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while continuing to develop between the NBA and G League.
Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they show why the upcoming season matters. Without LeBron in the locker room, Bronny’s development will be easier to evaluate on its own terms.
The Lakers also made a significant commitment to keeping him around. His 2026-27 salary became fully guaranteed in June, giving Bronny another season to compete for a larger role within an organization that drafted him 55th overall in 2024.
There was no father-son package deal
The possibility of Bronny following LeBron to Philadelphia was discussed during free agency, but that idea was never an established requirement. LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, represents both players and told ESPN that they were “not a package deal.”
That distinction matters because Bronny’s future has often been discussed through the lens of his father. His latest response instead treated the question as a family matter rather than a basketball decision.
For the Lakers, keeping Bronny means continuing a developmental project that began when they selected him in the second round. For Bronny, it means trying to turn an unusual beginning into a sustainable NBA career of his own.
A new test of Bronny’s independence
Remaining in Los Angeles could give Bronny a more defined role within the Lakers’ long-term plans. Coaches and teammates will be able to assess his progress without the constant comparison created by having LeBron on the same bench.
That separation may also change how Bronny handles media attention. Every performance will still attract interest because of his family name, but his minutes, defensive assignments, and offensive improvements can now be discussed as part of his own development.
The Lakers’ decision to guarantee his contract suggests the organization believes he deserves more time to grow. Whether he earns a larger role will depend on his consistency, shooting, playmaking, and defensive contributions.
Fun fact: Before entering the NBA, Bronny was selected for the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game and the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and was also ranked No. 19 in ESPN’s 2023 recruiting class rankings.
Bronny’s next chapter will be judged separately
The biggest takeaway isn’t that Bronny dismissed his father’s decision. He treated LeBron’s move as LeBron’s choice, while his own career remains in Los Angeles. The Lakers have already guaranteed Bronny’s contract for the coming season, giving him another opportunity to develop without every decision leading back to his father.
Meanwhile, LeBron begins what he has described as the final chapter of his career in Philadelphia. The two Jameses will remain connected, but their professional paths have finally split. That makes Bronny’s five-word answer more revealing than it first appeared.
TL;DR
- Bronny James responded to LeBron James’ move with the comment: “It’s whatever. It’s my dad.”
- Bronny remains with the Los Angeles Lakers while LeBron begins a new chapter elsewhere.
- LeBron and Bronny made NBA history as the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game.
- Their careers are now following separate paths after sharing the Lakers roster.
- Bronny will continue working to establish himself as an NBA player independent of his father.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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