Bronny James' Lakers Contract Is Special: LeBron's Son's Rookie Deal Is Very Different From Other Picks
LeBron "Bronny" James Jr. signed a guaranteed four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday -- a stark difference from other second-round picks' NBA contracts.
Bronny was presented as one of the two newest additions to the LA squad on Tuesday, together with 17th pick Dalton Knecht. The 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft will play alongside his father, LeBron James, who also signed a hefty two-year $104 million extension with Los Angeles.
While the 19-year-old's contract is far from the $57 million deal expected for top pick Zaccharie Risacher, it's still way better than most second-round picks' deal.
Bronny's Contract is Guaranteed
One major disparity would be Bronny's fully guaranteed deal. Most second-round picks don't get guaranteed contracts, especially one that spans three seasons with a team option on the fourth.
In 2023, the Indiana Pacers used its 55th pick to sign Isaiah Wong to a two-way contract worth $559,782. According to the New York Post, it was only partially guaranteed if the baller could secure a regular-season roster spot with the team.
Wong has not played a single minute in the NBA and is likely a free agent by now.
In fact, only three other second-rounders in 2023 were given fully guaranteed contracts, the Post added.
Maxwell Lewis, the Lakers' 40th overall pick in last year's draft, was only offered a two-year guaranteed deal with a partially guaranteed third season.
Multi-Million Contract for LeBron Jr.
ESPN's sources say the former USC Trojans player is set to receive $1.1 million in the 2024-25 season, $1.9 million the following year, $2.2 million in 26-27 and $2.4 million and a team option in 27-28.
Of the last five 55th picks before Bronny, only one player secured a multi-year contract -- Golden State Warriors' Gui Santos.
Santos' three-year contract only had a $75,000 guarantee. His second and third seasons are not guaranteed, Hoops Rumors noted.
Moreover, LeBron's eldest is the first in a long while to secure a multi-million guaranteed rookie contract before the NBA Summer League kicked off, Heavy pointed out.
Chris Livingston, who made history in 2023 with the largest total salary for a final pick in the NBA Draft, signed his four-year $7.7 million contract after winning two NBA Summer League contests. His contract included his first two years with the Milwaukee Bucks guaranteed.
Will Spend Time in G-League
Even with his guaranteed contract, Bronny is expected to spend time on the Lakers' bench and in the G-League.
"After the first week of the season, there are "no expectations" that Bronny will be in the Lakers' rotation and instead will play in the G-League," a post by Bleacher Report revealed.
"Bronny has earned this"
Despite all the online chatter, newly-minted Lakers head coach JJ Redick clarified that the team believes Bronny deserves the spot.
According to the coach, James Jr., who suffered a cardiac arrest early in 2023 and had to delay his collegiate ball debut, had worked extremely hard to be where he is right now.
"Rob [Pelinka] and I did not give Bronny anything. Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his hard work. Bronny has earned this through hard," Redick said during a press conference on Tuesday.
"For us, prioritizing player development, we view Bronny as Case Study 1, because his base level of feel, athleticism, point of attack defender, shooting, passing -- there's a lot to like about his game and we sort of build out our player development program holistically. He's going to have a great opportunity to become an excellent NBA player."
Bronny James is expected to make his Lakers debut at the NBA Summer League 2024 on Saturday in San Francisco.
