The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves in the midst of contract confusion involving Bronny James, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. Despite LeBron James opting in to his $52.6 million contract option, his move came with the implicit demand for a stronger Lakers roster, placing added pressure on general manager Rob Pelinka. The team‘s handling of player contracts, including securing Marcus Smart on a two-year, $11 million deal, has intensified scrutiny over their roster decisions in the 2024 offseason.
Recent Roster Moves and Waivers Fuel Discontent
In the effort to create cap space, the Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart but parted ways with Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency and waived Shake Milton and Jordon Goodwin. Both Milton and Goodwin were waived despite Goodwin’s player option being picked up earlier, with only $25,000 of his $2.3 million contract guaranteed until January. These waivers were strategic sacrifices to accommodate Smart’s contract, but questions remain about the team’s aggressive reliance on waivers rather than trades.
The Complexity Behind Keeping Bronny James on the Roster
Bronny James has become a focal point in the Lakers’ contract dilemma, leading to speculation about why the team hasn’t waived the young player, especially amidst roster cuts. It was clarified by insider Trevor Lane that Bronny’s contract includes guaranteed money, meaning waiving him would not have freed salary cap space but instead created dead money on the Lakers’ payroll. This financial nuance complicates roster flexibility, keeping Bronny tied to the team despite roster shuffling.
No. Bronny has guaranteed money so waiving him would have only put dead money on their books and not freed up any spending power.
—Trevor Lane, NBA Insider
Fan Reactions Highlight Growing Unease with Lakers’ Offseason Strategy
Lakers Nation’s reaction to Rob Pelinka’s management of the offseason has been largely critical, focusing on a perceived lack of bold trade moves that could reshape the team more effectively. Fans express disappointment over the general manager’s reliance on waivers to make roster adjustments instead of negotiating trades that might offer more impactful upgrades. Social media voices illustrate this dissatisfaction bluntly.
Pelinka really has no clue how to make an off-season trade huh,
—Lakers Fan, X Platform
Implications for the Lakers’ Future and What Lies Ahead
This series of complicated decisions, especially concerning Bronny James’ contract situation, underscores the challenges facing the Lakers as they attempt to assemble a championship-caliber roster while navigating salary cap constraints. The team‘s cautious approach with limited trades could hamper their ability to improve sufficiently for the upcoming season. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Pelinka adjusts his strategy or continues relying on waivers and guaranteed contracts to manage the roster.
As the Lakers enter the new NBA season, the Bronny James Lakers contract situation remains a symbol of the wider struggles within the front office, reflecting uncertainty about the team’s long-term vision and capacity to capitalize on LeBron James’ remaining prime years.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Bronny James score 30 points?
A. He played 23 games for the Lakers, averaging 2.3 points and 5.9 minutes each game. Bronny scored his highest with South Bay by earning 31 points in a 122-110 victory against the Rip City Remix in January.
Q. Does Bronny James have a disease?
A. On August 25, the James family shared that doctors found Bronny James’ cardiac arrest was due to a heart defect he was born with.