Lakers rookie Bronny James signed a totally assured contract with the staff on Wednesday, in line with ESPN, the identical day his father, LeBron, additionally agreed to an enormous $104 million extension with Los Angeles.
Bronny, 19, signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract value below $1.2 million within the first 12 months, escalating every year after.
The ultimate 12 months of his contract is a $2.48 million staff possibility for the 2027-28 season.
This contract is a stark distinction to what the No. 55 choose within the 2023 NBA Draft choose, Isaiah Wong, signed with the Pacers.
Wong signed a two-way contract value $559,782, however below new CBA guidelines, it is just partially assured if the participant secures a regular-season roster spot.
The Pacers’ No. 55 choose from 2023 didn’t play a minute within the NBA final season and is not on the Pacers’ summer time league roster, so he’ll possible be a free agent.
The contract Wong signed possible had one thing to do with leverage, because the slots are predetermined when it comes to worth.
Nonetheless, James is being given each profit accessible to him by the Lakers as he appears set to step into the huge shadow that’s forged by his father.
Most different second-round picks don’t get totally assured four-year offers; solely three second-round gamers in 2023 got totally assured contracts of three years plus a staff possibility within the fourth 12 months.
The Lakers’ second-round choose in 2023, Maxwell Lewis, was taken No. 40 total and was assured the primary two years, with the third 12 months solely partially assured.
“Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his exhausting work. Bronny has earned this by exhausting, exhausting work,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned Tuesday.
“For us, prioritizing participant improvement, we view Bronny as Case Research 1, as a result of his base stage of really feel, athleticism, level of assault defender, capturing, passing. There’s quite a bit to love about his recreation and we kind of construct out our participant improvement program holistically, he’s going to have a terrific alternative to change into a superb NBA participant.”
James will now look to make a stamp on a Lakers roster which will have a tricky time becoming him into the rotation.
The staff brings again guards Cam Reddish, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, and former first-round choose Jalen Hood-Schifino.
James performed in 25 video games for USC in 2023, averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and a couple of.1 assists per recreation whereas solely beginning six video games.
By all accounts, the USC product had a superb displaying on the NBA Draft Mix, and his agent, Wealthy Paul, had advised different groups to not draft him with the specter of enjoying in Australia as a substitute.
