Lakers Rumors: Bronny James Won't be Included in Any Trade Packages This NBA Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers won't be shopping Bronny James in trade talks ahead this winter, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Buha said the Lakers are likely to look to move Gabe Vincent and a veteran minimum player like Christian Wood in a potential deal, but will not trade the son of LeBron James (39-minute mark of the video below.)

James has played limited minutes in seven appearances with the Lakers in his rookie NBA season.

He most recently recorded one block and went 0-for-2 from the field in three minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 8, but is expected to return for Monday night's game against the Detroit Pistons.

The Lakers are in need of some additional depth for the game given that both LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been listed on the team's injury report as questionable with injuries.

That will present another shot at the NBA with James, who has most recently played for the G League's South Bay Lakers with mixed results through seven games.

The rookie racked up a G-League career-high 30 points in a loss to the Valley Suns on Dec. 12 that has by far marked his strongest outing with South Bay.

In six other G League appearances, he has shot a combined 24-of-76 while averaging more than three turnovers per game.

The Lakers are likely betting on the No. 55 pick of the 2024 draft to take the next step in his development, as well as looking to keep LeBron James happy ahead of his 2025-26 player option. Those reasons will likely keep James on track to stay with the franchise, whether with Los Angeles or South Bay, past the Feb. 6 deadline.