Bronny James Could Get Cut If Lakers Sign Jonathan Kuminga

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms upbefore the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) Getty

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly getting closer to signing and trading for Jonathan Kuminga could be bad news for Bronny James. Fans are already forecasting an issue of the Lakers being over the roster limit and needing to get rid of someone before next season. Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht are the two names most linked to a trade or outright release to follow the NBA rules.

However, the recent news of the Lakers entering discussions with the Atlanta Hawks about a trade could see Kuminga coming over in a move soon. Atlanta doesn’t have much leverage and is just doing this to help Kuminga find his next team. Financial rules limit what the Lakers can do, so they must trade at least one player to the Hawks or to another team in a three-team deal.

If Knecht and/or Hardy gets included in that trade, Bronny could be next in line as a potential name to cut. Adding Kuminga would see the same problem continuing if they trade one player for him. The Lakers need to fill out the best roster around Luka Doncic, and Kuminga is significantly more helpful as a starting power forward than Bronny as a bench guard.

Best Case Scenario For Bronny James

Bronny is still considered to be safe for now since there are two names a little more expendable than him. The best scenario for Bronny in a post LeBron James Lakers world would be if both Knecht and Hardy got traded away in a multi-team deal. One of the two would see Kuminga taking their spot, and the other would remove the extra spot.

Names like Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, and Collin Sexton were the biggest additions for the Lakers this season. However, they still lack a trustworthy starting power forward to make Kuminga even more important to the team’s future.

The move is trending towards happening, and Bronny is hoping to stay on the roster. Even if Knecht or Hardy stays on the roster after a Kuminga trade, that player will likely be cut instead of Bronny. Head coach JJ Redick and General Manager Rob Pelinka are the names expected to make that decision.

Worst Case Scenario For Bronny James

The worst scenarios for Bronny would be getting traded to Atlanta for Kuminga or getting cut before the season. One thing working against Bronny is that the Lakers have strong depth at guard with Luka, Austin Reaves, Grimes, and Sexton all expected to play big minutes.

The Lakers could easily try to part ways with Bronny since his role on the team is less important. Bronny getting traded to the Hawks would be terrible for his career since CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Lu Dort, and rookie Kingston Flemings are all playing guard minutes.

Getting released would be more embarrassing, but he would at least have the chance to join another team. The Philadelphia 76ers could sign Bronny in this scenario to appease LeBron and add to that farewell tour over the next two years. Other rebuilding could take the chance on adding Bronny in hoping he improves and puts fans in seats at live games.

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