Lakers rookie Bronny James signed a totally assured contract with the staff, based on ESPN, the identical day his father, LeBron, additionally agreed to an enormous $104 million ($AU154.9m) extension with Los Angeles.
Bronny, 19, signed a four-year, $7.9 million ($AU11.7m) contract price underneath $1.2 million ($AU1.78m) within the first yr, escalating every year after.
The ultimate yr of his contract is a $2.48 million ($AU3.69m) staff possibility for the 2027-28 season.
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This contract is a stark distinction to what the No. 55 choose within the 2023 NBA Draft choose, Isaiah Wong, signed with the Pacers.
Wong signed a two-way contract price $559,782 – 14 occasions lower than what James will probably be paid – however underneath new CBA guidelines, it is just partially assured if the participant secures a regular-season roster spot.
The Pacers’ No. 55 choose from 2023 didn’t play a minute within the NBA final season and isn’t on the Pacers’ summer season league roster, so he’ll possible be a free agent.
The contract Wong signed possible had one thing to do with leverage, because the slots are predetermined when it comes to worth.
Nonetheless, James is being given each profit accessible to him by the Lakers as he seems set to step into the large shadow that’s solid by his father.
Most different second-round picks don’t get absolutely assured four-year offers; solely three second-round gamers in 2023 got absolutely assured contracts of three years plus a staff possibility within the fourth yr.
The Lakers’ second-round choose in 2023, Maxwell Lewis, was taken No. 40 general and was assured the primary two years, with the third yr solely partially assured.
“Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his laborious work. Bronny has earned this by way of laborious, laborious work,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned Tuesday.
“For us, prioritising participant improvement, we view Bronny as Case Research 1, as a result of his base degree of really feel, athleticism, level of assault defender, capturing, passing. There’s loads to love about his recreation and we form of construct out our participant improvement program holistically, he’s going to have an excellent alternative to turn out to be a wonderful NBA participant.”
James will now look to make a stamp on a Lakers roster that will have a tricky time becoming him into the rotation.
The staff brings again guards Cam Reddish, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, and former first-round choose Jalen Hood-Schifino.
James performed in 25 video games for USC in 2023, averaging 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds, and a couple of.1 assists per recreation whereas solely beginning six video games.
By all accounts, the USC product had a wonderful displaying on the NBA Draft Mix, and his agent, Wealthy Paul, had informed different groups to not draft him with the specter of enjoying in Australia as a substitute.
This text was initially printed on the New York Put up and was republished with permission.