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Bronny James had little to say about his father leaving Los Angeles, but the betting market has drawn a much sharper line between LeBron’s new team and the Lakers he left behind.
Bronny Keeps It Simple In Slovenia
Bronny James has broken his silence on LeBron James’ departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, although anyone expecting family drama will be disappointed.
The younger James was asked about his father’s exit while the Lakers were visiting Slovenia as part of a team trip organized around Luka Doncic. His response was brief.
“It’s whatever. It’s my dad,” Bronny said when a young fan asked how he felt about LeBron leaving Los Angeles.
It was hardly a scorching NBA soundbite, but it fits Bronny’s current situation. LeBron is gone, while his son remains under contract with a Lakers team increasingly built around Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Bronny averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists across 42 appearances last season, and Los Angeles has guaranteed his salary for 2026-27. His immediate battle is less about replacing his father and more about earning regular minutes in a reshaped rotation.
LeBron Takes His Title Chase To Philadelphia
LeBron informed the Lakers in June that he planned to continue his career elsewhere after eight seasons in Los Angeles. He later joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract, teaming up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey for what could be the final championship push of his career.
The move immediately changed the NBA futures board.
Philadelphia had been priced around +2000 to win the 2027 championship before LeBron arrived. DraftKings cut the Sixers to +900 following the signing, while FanDuel had Philadelphia at +1000 after the league released its 2026-27 schedule.
The Lakers are much further down the board. FanDuel listed Los Angeles at +4500, putting a sizeable betting gap between LeBron’s new title chances and those of his former team.
That does not necessarily mean bookmakers expect Los Angeles to fall apart. It does mean bettors are being asked to accept considerably longer odds on a Doncic-led Lakers championship than on LeBron making an immediate run with Philadelphia.
Doncic Era Starts Taking Shape
The Slovenia trip offered another clue about where the Lakers are heading.
With LeBron no longer dominating the franchise’s orbit, Doncic has become the clear focal point. Reports from Slovenia described the five-day gathering as a team-building exercise organized by the Slovenian star, with training sessions and group activities designed to bring a heavily altered roster together.
Los Angeles has also changed the supporting cast around Doncic and Reaves, adding players including Walker Kessler and Sandro Mamukelashvili as it moves toward a younger roster and a different playing style.
Oddsmakers remain cautious about how quickly it will work.
BetMGM set the Lakers’ regular-season win total at 46.5, with the under priced at -115 and the over at -105 as of August 17. Los Angeles has reached 50 wins in each of the past two seasons, so the number effectively prices in some regression after LeBron’s departure and the summer overhaul.
Bettors Now Have Two Very Different James Stories
For NBA bettors, the James family is no longer one Lakers storyline.
LeBron has moved into the shorter-priced championship contender in Philadelphia, where expectations will be immediate. Bronny, meanwhile, remains with a Lakers side offering a much bigger futures payout and facing questions over how quickly its new-look roster can click around Doncic.
Bronny’s reaction suggests he has little interest in making his father’s decision part of his own season.
The sportsbooks already have.
