Bronny James Signs Multi-Year Guaranteed Contract with Los Angeles Lakers: A Rare Move for Second-Round Picks

The 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny James, is set to sign a multi-year guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This move is rare for second-round picks, who typically have to prove themselves in NBA Summer League and training camps to earn a two-way contract. However, James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that Bronny would not be signing a two-way deal.

In an interview with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Paul stated his intentions on behalf of his client. This move isn’t unprecedented, as other second-round picks have received guaranteed contracts in the past. For example, Jalen Pickett and Chris Livingston signed multi-million dollar deals last year. Paul has significant influence in NBA circles and was able to secure a guaranteed contract for his client.

Bronny James had a standout performance in a college game against Oregon State and showcased his potential as a player. Despite an average freshman season at USC where he posted modest stats, James will have the chance to develop with the Lakers and potentially earn playing time early on. Moreover, playing alongside his father will make history as the first father-son duo in NBA history.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the story about James’ contract and confirmed that it is a multi-year guaranteed deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In conclusion, this news comes as a surprise for many basketball fans who were expecting Bronny James to earn a two-way contract like most second-round picks do. However, this move is not unprecedented as there are examples of other second-round picks receiving guaranteed contracts in the past. It will be interesting to see how Bronny performs with the Lakers and whether he can live up to expectations set by his father’s legacy on the court.