Bronny James’ surprising contract details revealed after LeBron’s $104 million Lakers deal
Lakers rookie Bronny James signed a fully guaranteed contract with the team on Wednesday, according to ESPN, the same day his father, LeBron, also agreed to a massive $104 million extension with Los Angeles.
Bronny, 19, signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract worth under $1.2 million in the first year, escalating each year after.
The final year of his contract is a $2.48 million team option for the 2027-28 season.
This contract is a stark difference to what the No. 55 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft pick, Isaiah Wong, signed with the Pacers.
Bronny James is poised to play alongside new coach J.J. Reddick.NBAE via Getty Images
Wong signed a two-way contract worth $559,782, but under new CBA rules, it is only partially guaranteed if the player secures a regular-season roster spot.
The Pacers’ No. 55 pick from 2023 did not play a minute in the NBA last season and is not on the Pacers’ summer league roster, so he will likely be a free agent.
The contract Wong signed likely had something to do with leverage, as the slots are predetermined in terms of value.
Still, James is being given every benefit available to him by the Lakers as he looks set to step into the massive shadow that is cast by his father.
Most other second-round picks do not get fully guaranteed four-year deals; only three second-round players in 2023 were given fully guaranteed contracts of three years plus a team option in the fourth year.
The Lakers’ second-round pick in 2023, Maxwell Lewis, was taken No. 40 overall and was guaranteed the first two years, with the third year only partially guaranteed.
LeBron James with his son Bronny during a Lakers news conference on Tuesday.AP
“Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his hard work. Bronny has earned this through hard, hard work,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said 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.”
