PERFECT DONE DEAL: Los Angeles Lakers have signed Bronny James for contact deal of $42.3million…
Los Angeles Lakers have signed Bronny James for contact deal of $42.3million..
The news about Bronny James signing a $42.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers is quite surprising, considering the current status of his career and the recent developments in the NBA draft landscape. As of now, Bronny James has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after completing his freshman season at USC. However, his performance has been modest, averaging just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
The speculation about Bronny joining the Lakers largely stems from his father, LeBron James, expressing a strong desire to play alongside his son in the NBA. LeBron’s influence and the narrative of a father-son duo in the league have fueled rumors and increased the likelihood of the Lakers drafting Bronny, despite his current draft projections being in the second round rather than as a top pick.
Given these circumstances, it’s improbable that Bronny would be offered such a substantial contract right out of college, especially without having proven himself at the professional level. Typically, rookie contracts in the NBA, even for top picks, are governed by a structured scale set by the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which would not reach the magnitude of $42.3 million over a few years.
While the Lakers are indeed interested in Bronny, possibly to ensure LeBron’s continued presence with the team, the actual contract details would likely be modest compared to the figures being speculated. The Lakers’ strategy would be to draft Bronny, possibly using their second-round pick, and then develop him within their system, hoping he can grow into a valuable player under the mentorship of his father and other veteran teammates.
In summary, while the narrative of Bronny James joining the Lakers is compelling and carries significant emotional and marketing value, the reported $42.3 million contract does not align with the current norms and realities of NBA rookie contracts. The focus remains on whether the Lakers will draft him and how his career will unfold from there.