The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason bonding retreat in Europe has yielded plenty of memorable moments on the first day. But none hit closer to home for Lakers Nation than Bronny James addressing his father’s dramatic exit from the team and city. He’s about to embark on his first season without LeBron James on the same team as him now that his dad signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Before their first meet-up in an NBA setting on Christmas Day, Bronny is building team chemistry with the retooled Lakers and finding out just how popular his dad is even in Slovenia.
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While in Ljubljana for a four-day team minicamp hosted by native superstar Luka Doncic (who reportedly spent half a million dollars to fly 14 teammates overseas on a chartered Bombardier Global 8000 jet), Bronny found himself surrounded by eager pre-teen fans outside the team facility.
As Lakers players stepped out to sign autographs and take photos, the group of roughly 12-year-olds erupted when Bronny walked over. One youngster used the opportunity to pass along a heartfelt message to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“Can you tell LeBron I’ve been his fan since I was five years old?” the kid asked. Bronny politely replied, “Yes sir,” before the young supporter added, “Good luck.” Bronny’s automatic response showed he was quite used to relaying these messages to his dad.
When asked directly by the kids about LeBron James leaving LA to join the 76ers this summer, Bronny offered a hilarious, completely unbothered response: “It’s whatever, it’s my dad.”
Despite speculation that Bronny might be traded following his father’s departure, the Lakers fully guaranteed his $2.3 million salary for the 2026-27 season, cementing their ongoing commitment to the 21-year-old guard.
A livestream of the entire interaction showed that Bronny’s popularity in Slovenia surprised even his teammates. While they chanted “MVP!” for Luka, Jake LaRavia and a couple of others signing autographs looked thoroughly amused by the screams Bronny got.
One fan accidentally handed Adou Thiero the wrong picture to sign, prompting him to tell the kid, “That’s Bronny, that’s not even me.” With no spite, of course.
The team later shared updates from their visit to Ljubljana Castle. Bronny even gave his Instagram followers a view from atop Castle Hill.
The squad also had a less than quiet cruise down the Ljubljana River, where dozens of fans, who looked like young kids too, ran along the banks to catch a glimpse of Doncic’s team.
Jaden Hardy shared Jarred Vanderbilt’s hilarious miss with a t-shirt that made a kid jump in the river.
The Lakers’ squad’s arrival in Slovenia has thrilled the locals in Doncic’s hometown. While the official Lakers and players’ accounts shared team dinners and practices, local pages were excited to welcome the team to Slovenia’s popular spots, while fans trailed them everywhere.
Local outlets reported that fans waited in the rain to see them, and the players obliged with autographs and photos.
It’s not just Bronny; even LeBron, who’s not part of the team anymore, is getting all the love from young basketball fans in Slovenia.
“I love it! It’s raining heavily right now, but we’re having a great time. Beautiful views,” he told a local reporter.
The new-look Lakers transition appears to be off to a smooth start during Doncic’s European retreat.
As Doncic steps up as the undisputed focal point of the franchise, Bronny is quietly embracing his own space to grow as a basketball player in Los Angeles.