Report: Bronny James signs 4-year $7.9 million deal with Lakers
Bronny James now reportedly has contract with the Lakers and it looks like a standard rookie deal.
It's been an eventful week for Bronny James.
First, the Lakers drafted him with the No. 55 pick, then he had an introductory press conference and now, as reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the newest Lakers rookie has signed a deal worth $7.9 million spread across four years.
Structure of Bronny James’ four-year deal:
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 3, 2024
$1,157,143
$1,955,377
$2,296,271
$2,486,955 (team) https://t.co/4aG9omXKhN
The Lakers having a team option in the fourth year is pretty standard. In fact, the entire contract is typical for a second-rounder who makes an NBA roster.
Looks like this is just a standard rookie-minimum contract via the second-round exception.
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) July 3, 2024
The Lakers could have gone up to $9.0M, but that would have been ill-advised given their proximity to the second apron. https://t.co/6W2VdcnHS9
James played at USC for just one season, producing a modest stat line of 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 19.3 minutes across 25 contests.
It's important to note that Bronny only played the back half of his college season due to a cardiac arrest, so these numbers don't necessarily demonstrate his maximum potential.
Prior to his freshman year, Bronny was projected to be a mid-to-late first round draft pick, so if his college career was more of a fluke due to his recovery, the Lakers might have gotten tremendous value drafting him.
With Bronny now healthy, the Lakers will get a chance to see what he can become. They aim to develop him like they did with players like Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso.
This upside Bronny possesses is why vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka described him as potentially becoming an "elite shot maker."
Bronny is easily the most talked about second round draft pick in NBA history. That comes with the territory of being the son of LeBron James, but hopefully, there won't be an uproar over this run-of-the-mill deal and the NBA media can stop being weird when discussing him.
Now that the years are secured, we can focus on Bronny's actual game on the court. As Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed, the former USC Trojan will play in the California Classic and the Las Vegas Summer League this month.
While Summer League basketball isn't quite at the NBA level, it will give Bronny and the Lakers' first round draft pick Dalton Knecht some experience at a higher level and a taste of what being a Laker will be like.
Bronny needs to get used to that feeling, given that he will be here for years to come.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.