Bronny is definitely going to play with LeBron.
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is set to sign a multi-year, guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The deal guarantees that once the 2024-25 season begins, James will be a permanent fixture on the roster alongside his father, LeBron James.
Typically, players selected in the second round do not have guaranteed contracts. Instead, they have had to compete at a high level in both the NBA Summer League and their respective teams’ training camps to even receive a two-way contract.
However, James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear in an interview with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report that he would not sign a two-way contract.
“Yeah, that’s absolutely true,” Paul said. “Teams know that. I don’t.”
This isn’t the first time a second-round pick has received a guaranteed contract, though. Back in last year’s draft, Denver Nuggets’ Jalen Pickett, selected 32nd overall, signed a four-year, $8.2 million contract with the Denver Nuggets that included $5.8 million guaranteed. Milwaukee Bucks’ Chris Livingston, selected with the last pick in the second round of the same draft, signed a four-year, $7.6 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks that included $3 million guaranteed. Keep in mind, though: Paul was also Livingston’s agent, which speaks to his power within NBA circles.
During James’ press conference on Tuesday, he spoke about joining the Lakers and playing with his father.
“Everything has been so surreal. I’m just trying to take it day by day,” he said. “I’m so grateful for everything JJ [Redick] and Rob [Pelinka] have given. I was just really excited to get started.
“I never really thought about playing with my dad, but it’s always there to participate. It wasn’t my main goal.”
Of course, one of the biggest storylines in James’ journey to the NBA involves his famous father and doubts about his own talent. Now that he’s LeBron’s teammate on what will hopefully be a title contender, he understands the level of pressure that comes his way.
“Definitely an amplified amount of pressure. I’ve seen it on social media and the internet, talking about how maybe I don’t deserve a chance,” James said. “But I’ve dealt with this stuff my whole life. It’s no different. It’s definitely amplified, but I can get through it.”
“Rob and I didn’t give Bronny anything,” new Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Bronny earned this. Bronny, he talks about his hard work. Bronny earned this by working hard. For us, who prioritize player development, we look at Bronny as kind of a case study number one. His basic touch, his athleticism, his offensive defense, his shooting, his passing, there’s a lot to love about his game.”
James is coming off a fairly average freshman year at the University of Southern California, statistically speaking. The guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. However, James believes the cardiac arrest he suffered last summer took its toll on his development.
“The time I had off I could have perfected my game even more,” James said. “I just feel like I got the chance to show what I can really do because I didn’t get that much chance on [USC]. I am therefore excited about what is to come.”
Despite those numbers, James will have the opportunity to not only develop on the fly with the Lakers and potentially see some real minutes early. He’ll also make history as part of the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA, and he believes learning from LeBron will only help him as he transitions to the pros.
“Just having that work ethic and coming in and doing your job and listening to your coaches and being coachable,” James said. “Those are things he’s instilled in me my whole life.”
