A hypothetical three-team trade would send Bronny James from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he could reunite with his father. The framework, outlined by Heavy, has the Lakers also moving Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht to the Chicago Bulls. The proposal is hypothetical, but its structure offers a look at how the Lakers could reshape their roster.
The Proposed Three-Team Framework
Under the concept, the Lakers send Bronny James, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht out of Los Angeles. In return, they receive Jalen Smith from the Bulls and Jabari Walker from the Sixers, two players who could add rotational depth.
Philadelphia receives Bronny James. Chicago takes on LaRavia and Knecht while also receiving the Lakers’ 2031 and 2032 second-round picks as part of the framework.
| Team | Sends | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Lakers | Bronny James, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht | Jalen Smith, Jabari Walker |
| 76ers | Jabari Walker | Bronny James |
| Bulls | Jalen Smith | LaRavia, Knecht, 2031 and 2032 second-round picks |
Why Bronny Is Movable but Not a Major Trade Chip
Bronny James has a guaranteed $2.3 million salary for 2026-27, making him relatively easy to include in a deal from a cap perspective. The challenge is the return, as the young guard’s production does not make him a major standalone trade asset.
Including Bronny with other movable players such as LaRavia and Knecht could give a larger transaction more value. Both LaRavia and Knecht have been mentioned among the Lakers’ potential offseason movers.
What the Lakers Gain in Return
Jalen Smith would give the Lakers a stretch big, while Jabari Walker would add forward and wing depth. Neither player is presented as a high-profile addition, but both could fit a rotational role around Luka Doncic.
The Lakers would move three players and take back two under this proposal. That reduction would bring the team back to the roster-slot limit after it had exceeded it, according to the report.
The Father-Son Reunion Angle
The central element of the proposal is the possibility of Bronny joining LeBron James in Philadelphia. Heavy reported that LeBron’s camp had shut down package-deal talk for the time being, which leaves the proposal without any indication that a move is close.
LeBron said his move to Philadelphia had nothing to do with family, according to the report. That leaves open the question of whether the Sixers would pursue a deal for Bronny.
What Could Happen Next
Nothing appears imminent from either the Sixers or LeBron’s camp regarding a father-son reunion. If this framework does not materialize, the Lakers could explore other options for Bronny or retain him for at least next season.
For Bronny, the report describes his current role as a deep rotational one. Whether he remains in Los Angeles or joins his father in Philadelphia, his future remains uncertain as the Lakers continue their offseason roster moves.
For the latest on the Lakers’ offseason moves, keep it locked to Sportscasting.
