Quick Bytes
- Bronny James signs a four-year rookie contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- The contract takes advantage of the second-round exception in the new CBA.
- James is set to play in the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League.
Bronny James Secures Four-Year Lakers Deal
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially signed second-round draft pick Bronny James to a four-year rookie contract, a move announced prior to his introductory press conference.
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Lakers utilized the second-round exception to offer James a deal similar to that of a first-round pick, with a team option in the fourth year. This contract structure, which mirrors the one given to Maxwell Lewis in 2023, includes guaranteed money for nearly three years, a benefit not typically assured for second-round selections. By the end of the third year, James will have earned $5.4 million.
The Lakers’ strategy allows them three years to develop James into a valuable NBA player, with a fourth year option at a near-minimum salary. Head coach JJ Redick has confirmed that James, along with first-round pick Dalton Knecht, will participate in both the California Classic in Sacramento and the Las Vegas Summer League, providing them with crucial development opportunities.
As James embarks on his NBA journey, the Lakers and their fans are hopeful for his growth and potential impact on the team’s future success.
