Bronny James Gains Shocking 14 Lbs for New Season as 7 More Lakers Players Go Through Transformation

When Bronny James went through the 2024 NBA scouting combine, he measured 6-foot-2 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan and a 40.5-inch vertical. The knock on him was that he lacked size for a wing. Two years later, the Lakers' official training camp roster lists him 14 pounds heavier than a year ago, the biggest jump on the team.

The Lakers' weights, shared by team reporter Jovan Buha, show James going from 209 pounds to 223 over the past year. At 6-foot-2, that is a major change for a player whose lack of size has drawn criticism since he arrived.

His father, LeBron James, left for Philadelphia in free agency, so Bronny is now the one carrying the family name in Los Angeles.

Bronny James has spent two seasons moving between the Lakers and their G League affiliate, and his profile has always leaned on athleticism rather than strength. The extra bulk should help against larger matchups, and head coach JJ Redick has reportedly seen him as part of the rotation.

The results have been mixed so far, though. Redick has also said James has not played well in the preseason, so the gain has not clearly translated into production yet.

How the Rest of the Lakers Changed

Here is how the other seven returning players compare with last year's training camp:

• Luka Doncic: 244 to 242
• Austin Reaves: 210 to 216
• Dalton Knecht: 211 to 216
• Adou Thiero: 234 to 230
• Jake LaRavia: 237 to 235
• Chris Mañon: 212 to 206
• Jarred Vanderbilt: 228 to 221

Doncic's two-pound drop hides how different he looks. After being listed at 230 in 2024-25 and 244 at last year's camp, he now sits at 242, but he is visibly leaner. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said he looks as lean as he has been since his rookie year, noting that the listed weight does not match how he looks. Fans noticed too after Doncic hosted a Lakers mini-camp in Slovenia in August.

Reaves added six pounds. It matched what Buha saw at media day, when he guessed Reaves had put on 8 to 10 pounds of muscle, mostly visible in his arms. Knecht's five-pound gain suggests he also focused on strength, while Vanderbilt dropped the most among the veterans at seven pounds. Mañon lost six.

Taken together, the numbers show a roster rebuilding around Doncic. The Lakers are bigger in some places and leaner in others, and the heaviest player on the roster is center Walker Kessler at 270 pounds. The team is also adjusting without LeBron James for the first time in eight years.

For Bronny James, the extra weight is the most visible sign that he is serious about a larger role. Whether it turns into a reliable rotation spot depends on how he plays once the games count.