Historic Father-Son Duo in the Making
Following Bronny James’ official announcement of joining the Los Angeles Lakers, his father, LeBron James, has confirmed a two-year extension with the team worth $104 million. This sets the stage for the first father-son duo in NBA history to potentially play together, marking a historic milestone.
Bronny’s Unexpected Contract
Despite being a second-round, 55th overall pick, and having an unremarkable college performance, Bronny James has been accorded significant respect by the Lakers. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers plan to sign Bronny to a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract—a rare gesture for a second-round pick. ESPN further revealed that Bronny’s contract is worth $7.9 million over four years.
| Player | Draft Position | Contract Length | Total Value (USD) | Guaranteed Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronny James | 55th (2nd round) | 4 years | $7.9 million | Fully guaranteed |
| Jalen Pickett | 32nd (2nd round) | 4 years | $8.2 million | $5.8 million |
| Chris Livingston | 58th (2nd round) | 4 years | $7.6 million | $3 million |
Second-Round Picks and Contract Norms
Typically, second-round picks do not receive guaranteed contracts and must prove their worth through summer leagues and training camps to secure a two-way contract. However, Bronny’s situation is an exception, akin to Jalen Pickett and Chris Livingston from the previous draft class, who also received multi-year deals with significant guaranteed sums.
Rich Paul’s Influence
Rich Paul, Bronny’s agent, emphasized that he would not let Bronny sign a two-way contract. Should Bronny secure a fully guaranteed contract, he would at least receive the league’s minimum salary, which was slightly above $1.1 million for the 2023-24 season. In contrast, players on two-way contracts earn about half of that and are ineligible for playoff games.
Bronny’s College Performance
In college, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. His association with LeBron James has garnered significant attention and inevitably added pressure.
Bronny’s Response to Pressure
“Pressure is definitely going to be there, but I’ve dealt with it all my life. It’s nothing new, and I can overcome it,” Bronny stated confidently.
Excitement for the Future
Reflecting on joining the Lakers, Bronny expressed his gratitude and excitement: “This all feels surreal. I’m just trying to take it all in. I thank JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka for this opportunity. I’m excited about what’s ahead.”(Superace88)