Bronny James’ place on the Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season roster may not be guaranteed.
According to reports, the Lakers are expected to have Bronny James and Chris Mañon compete for one of the franchise’s final roster spots during training camp ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Mañon was re-signed earlier this summer on a two-way contract after impressing the organization with his defensive versatility and high-energy play.
While James enters his third NBA season with the Lakers, Mañon has steadily built a reputation as one of the organization’s top defensive prospects. The 6-foot-4 guard showcased his ability to guard multiple positions during Summer League and with the South Bay Lakers, making him an intriguing candidate to earn a standard NBA contract.
Bronny, meanwhile, remains one of the league’s most closely watched young players due to both his development and his historic connection with his father, LeBron James. Despite flashes of improvement, he’ll likely need a strong training camp to secure his role as the Lakers finalize their opening-night roster.
The competition could become one of the more compelling storylines of the Lakers’ preseason. James offers familiarity with the system and continued upside as a developing guard, while Mañon’s defensive intensity and ability to impact winning without needing the ball could make him difficult to leave off the main roster.
With roster spots at a premium, training camp and preseason performances may ultimately determine which young guard earns a place on the Lakers’ 15-man roster.
