LeBron James spent eight seasons wearing purple and gold for the Los Angeles Lakers before deciding to move on this past offseason. This summer, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, closing one long chapter and opening a new one heading into his 24th NBA season.
For his son Bronny, the news hit a little differently than it did for most fans. The two had just become the first father-son duo in league history to share an NBA court, and now Bronny stays behind in Los Angeles while his father starts fresh in Philadelphia, across the country. When cameras finally caught up with him, Bronny gave a short answer that fans still cannot stop discussing.
A blunt five-word reaction
: Bronny was signing autographs and taking photos with fans this month when someone asked how he felt about his father leaving the Lakers for the 76ers. Instead of giving a long speech, Bronny kept it simple and smiled at the camera.
He said, “It’s whatever, it’s my dad.” Nothing more was needed to explain how he truly felt inside. The short clip quickly spread online, with fans sharing it across social media, some reading it as pure indifference while others saw a young man simply keeping things private.
LeBron’s long run in Los Angeles
LeBron spent eight full seasons with the Lakers, becoming one of the most accomplished players in franchise history along the way. He helped deliver the 2020 NBA championship during his memorable time in Los Angeles.
Across 479 regular-season games with the Lakers, LeBron averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. Those impressive numbers place him among the greatest players to ever wear the purple and gold.
This summer, LeBron chose a fresh challenge in Philadelphia, signing a 2-year deal worth $8 million with the 76ers. At 41 years old, he now begins his 24th season chasing one more title.
Two historic seasons as teammates
LeBron and Bronny became the first father and son to share an NBA court together, a moment that changed basketball history forever. Bronny made his debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves back in October 2024.
Over two seasons, the pair shared limited but memorable minutes together as Lakers teammates on the floor. Bronny split most of his time between the main roster and the South Bay Lakers G League club.
Their final game together as teammates came during the Western Conference semifinals against Oklahoma City this past May. The Lakers were then quickly eliminated, quietly closing the door on a rare, historic team partnership.
Bronny remains in Los Angeles
Bronny remains under contract with the Lakers, giving him a clear and steady path forward without his father on the roster. He was originally selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and the Lakers guaranteed him a salary of about $2.29 million for the upcoming season, showing real confidence in his development.
Now that the only James in Los Angeles is Bronny, he finally gets a chance to build his own identity on the court. He is entering his third professional season with more minutes and more responsibility ahead of him, and coaches and staff continue to praise his work ethic and steady growth within the organization.
Little-known fact: Bronny suffered a cardiac arrest while practicing on July 24, 2023, and was treated by medical staff and taken to the hospital, being admitted to the ICU.
Life without his father nearby
Despite the calm public reaction, this is still a major adjustment for a young player entering only his third pro season. Bronny will no longer have his father nearby for daily advice, guidance, and support.
During his second season, Bronny averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists across 42 total regular-season appearances for the Lakers. He also gained valuable postseason experience, playing in eight separate playoff games during that stretch.
Teammates and coaches will likely lean on him more this coming season as the Lakers look to fill the void left behind. His development path now depends entirely on his own effort and steady progress.
Why did father and son split paths
Speculation once swirled that Bronny might follow his father to Philadelphia rather than stay behind with the Lakers. Reports this offseason indicated there was never a real plan for father and son to reunite on the same roster.
Rich Paul, who represents both LeBron and Bronny, told ESPN that the two are not a package deal and that there was no request or expectation for Bronny to switch teams. Some reports have suggested people close to the Lakers’ organization share that view, though the team has not issued an official statement on the matter.
The family bond still runs deep
Even after leaving the Lakers, LeBron has stayed close with his son off the court, including a recent golf outing in Oregon alongside Bronny and former teammate Austin Reaves. Fans have noticed that the family bond remains strong despite the new professional separation between the two James men this season.
Photos and videos of their outings together continue to circulate across social media platforms. Basketball fans expect LeBron to remain a steady mentor figure for his son from a distance, even while wearing a different jersey, and their bond appears built to outlast any team roster or business decision.
Little-known fact: LeBron James remains the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring leader with 43,440 points, and his career playoff total has risen to 8,521 points after the 2026 postseason.
What comes next for Bronny
Bronny’s short answer may actually say more about his mindset than any long interview ever could reveal about him. He appears focused on his own path rather than dwelling on his father’s departure this offseason.
This season offers Bronny a real chance to prove himself as more than just a famous last name in the league. Extra minutes and added responsibility could help silence doubts about his long-term potential.
Whatever happens next, the James family story remains one of the most talked-about threads in modern basketball today. Fans will keep watching closely as father and son chase separate goals in entirely different cities.
TL;DR
- Bronny James reacted to LeBron leaving the Lakers with a short answer, saying it was whatever since it was just his dad.
- LeBron and Bronny made history as the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game, debuting in October 2024.
- LeBron averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds across 479 games in eight seasons with the Lakers, including a 2020 title.
- LeBron signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason at age 41.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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