Bronny James, guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, publicly supported former teammate Nick Smith Jr.'s decision to sign a one-year deal with Real Madrid in the Euroleague. Smith Jr. announced his move to the Spanish club via Instagram, where he posted a picture of himself in his new team's uniform.
"Damn thats fire bro be great!!!" James commented on Smith Jr.'s post. Other Lakers players, including Adou Thiero and Jake LaRavia, also expressed their encouragement for Smith Jr.'s overseas transition. "Get to it brudda," Thiero wrote, while LaRavia simply stated, "Yea nick."
Smith Jr. entered free agency after the Lakers declined his team option for the upcoming season. The former first-round pick averaged 7.6 points in 17.5 minutes across three NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and the Lakers. He is now set to become the lead guard for Real Madrid, having previously held a bench role in the NBA.
James's own tenure with the Lakers continues, even after his father, LeBron James, informed the team he would not return for the 2026-27 season. Bronny James's contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed the day before his father's departure was announced. This situation presents an opportunity for James to develop his NBA career independently with the Lakers.