Lakers Get Surprising Bronny James Update From $52M Recruit After Austin Reaves’ Take

The Los Angeles Lakers players have found another way to spend time together away from the court. Golf has become part of the offseason routine, with several players taking the sport seriously enough to turn casual rounds into friendly competition.

The group has also started to build its own pecking order. Austin Reaves has made it clear where he thinks he stands, while Luka Doncic has joined in as he learns the game.

The Lakers asked new forward Sandro Mamukelashvili about the team’s golf scene during an interview with ESPN Los Angeles. After hearing that Reaves is considered the team’s best golfer, Mamukelashvili was asked about the player who could challenge him.

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Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gives the ball to guard Bronny James (9) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

That brought Bronny James into the conversation. Mamukelashvili said he has heard plenty about the second-year guard’s golf game, even though he has not seen him play in person.

“So, I’ve been hearing a lot about Bronny. They say he’s really, really good, and he actually plays a lot,” Mamukelashvili said.

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Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) celebrates his three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

The new Lakers forward then made an important distinction. His praise for Bronny is based on what teammates have told him, not on something he has watched himself.

“So, I haven’t really seen him play, but I’ve heard a lot of great things about him,” Mamukelashvili said.

That reputation is not coming from nowhere. Reaves recently named himself the Lakers’ best golfer and put Bronny at No. 2 when asked to rank the team’s players. Reaves also said Doncic is still learning the sport.

The Lakers have already given their players another reason to compete off the court. Doncic hosted a team minicamp in Slovenia this summer, with golf included alongside workouts and other team activities.

That could lead to the matchup Mamukelashvili wants to see. He specifically mentioned a potential group featuring Doncic, Reaves and Bronny.

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Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) walks onto the court during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

“So, I’m kind of looking forward to seeing Luka-Austin-Bronny tournament,” Mamukelashvili said.

Mamukelashvili joined the Lakers this summer on a four-year, $52 million deal after averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers officially added him in July as part of a larger roster reshaping around Doncic.

That makes his golf comments an early look at the relationships forming inside the new-look Lakers roster. Bronny already has the reputation. Now the newest Laker wants to see whether he can back it up on the course.