Copyright Essentially Sports
While LeBron James fans keep refreshing feeds to see if the King will show up for a G-League training run or wait for the main roster’s return from their five-day road trip, a different “James” has slipped into the headlines. This time, it’s Bronny. The South Bay Lakers have officially locked in their 2025–26 opening-night roster under second-year coach Zach Guthrie. The squad tips off their season tonight at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, facing the Valley Suns, and yes, everyone’s eyes were scanning the roster for James Jr.’s name. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin cleared the air on X, confirming what the Lakers have decided regarding Bronny, and no, the G-League buzz wasn’t it. McMenamin dropped the official South Bay Lakers roster, stacked with names like two-way players Christian Koloko, Chris Mañon, and Nick Smith Jr. Joining them are standout additions Jarron Cumberland, RJ Davis, Tevian Jones, Arthur Kaluma, Augustas Marčiulionis, and Anton Watson, with recent pickup Drew Timme adding some heft. Kylor Kelley is back for a second season, while rookies Jace Carter and Luke Goode round out a roster that’s as balanced as it is promising. ADVERTISEMENT So why isn’t Bronny’s name on that stacked list? Turns out, he’s focused on carrying out a mission straight from Lakers head coach JJ Redick himself. Bronny explained, “JJ has told me that I’m playing as hard as I can right now, so I want to keep doing that.” The young guard seems intent on proving that his growth isn’t just about minutes on the floor, it’s about matching the energy and discipline Redick demands from every Laker. (This is a developing story…)
