Bronny James' Contract Is An Embarrassment To The NBA: DETAILS
Bronny James' reported contract with the Lakers proves the franchise and league shouldn't be taken seriously.
The Lakers drafted LeBron James' son 55th overall in the draft last week. The move was shocking, considering how Bronny wasn't even a good college player. He failed to even average five points a game at USC.
Now, he's an NBA player, and he's being paid a lot of money to likely ride the bench.
Bronny James scores massive deal for a second round pick. (Robert Gauthier / For The Times)
Bronny James' reported contract details released
LeBron agreed Wednesday to a new two-year contract worth $104 million with the Lakers. His son didn't wait long to also agree to terms.
The 55th pick of the NBA Draft has reached a four-year deal worth $7.9 million, and the fourth year is a team option, according to Shams Charania.
The deal is also a one-way deal. That means Bronny James won't be sent to the G-League, which is where many second round picks end up.
This contract is nothing short of a complete joke. Bronny James didn't deserve to be drafted to begin with. The small guard averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and shot an awful 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from three in 25 games at USC.
Drafting Bronny 55th overall was a bad enough look for the NBA. The Lakers giving him a four-year one-way deal that is fully guaranteed in the first three years - a deal no other second round pick could dream of receiving - proves the situation shouldn't be taken seriously.
Bronny James on his merits didn't deserve to be drafted. Now, he's been handed a deal more talented rookies can't get. For example, the 55th pick of the 2023 NBA Draft - Isaiah Wong - signed a two-way deal with the Pacers.
The 55th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft - Gui Santos - signed a three-year deal with the Warriors in 2023 worth a total of $5.14 million. However, barely more than $1 million was guaranteed. Santos also played a season in the G-League prior to signing his three-year deal.
Aaron Wiggins, who was drafted in the same spot in 2021, also entered the league on a two-way contract. Are we noticing a pattern? Bronny isn't just getting special treatment. His treatment appears unprecedented.
Bronny James' contract is a bad look for the Lakers and NBA. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Welcome to the NBA in 2024. Nepotism rules the day, and it's now made Bronny James a millionaire in his own right. Let me know what you think about the contract at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.