Bronny James is set to secure a guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are expected to sign Bronny to a multiyear guaranteed rookie deal.
Drafted 55th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny now has the opportunity to play alongside his father, LeBron James, under a guaranteed second-round contract. Initially, there were doubts about Bronny’s draft prospects, especially after Rich Paul advised teams against drafting him, hinting that the Lakers were determined to fulfill LeBron’s dream.
The decision to offer Bronny a guaranteed contract is not entirely surprising. Beyond being LeBron’s son, Bronny impressed the Lakers during the pre-draft process, showcasing potential that the team believes can be developed into a significant talent over time. Paul had made it clear that Bronny would not accept a two-way contract, a common practice for many second-round picks.
BREAKING: Bronny James will sign a multiyear guaranteed rookie contract with the Lakers, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/9REVdAHuBB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 2, 2024
Bronny James’ Role with the Lakers
Despite Bronny securing a guaranteed contract, his role as a rookie in the 2024-25 season is not set in stone. The Lakers have a history of focusing on the development of their draft picks. This approach aims to unlock their potential while balancing the franchise’s championship aspirations, even though they’ve only advanced past the first round of the playoffs once in the last four seasons.
Max Christie, drafted 35th overall in 2022, spent most of his early career with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, eventually earning a four-year, $32 million contract. Similarly, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, also spent considerable time in the G League.
Bronny is expected to follow a similar path. While the prospect of Bronny sharing the court with his father in a Lakers uniform is exciting, he will likely spend a significant portion of the 2024-25 season honing his skills in the G League.
The Lakers’ front office, including Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick, to formally introduce Bronny to the organization at a scheduled press conference on Tuesday afternoon. This marks the beginning of what could be a remarkable journey for the James family and the Lakers.