Report: Bronny James to sign multiyear, guaranteed rookie contract with Los Angeles Lakers
Bronny James will sign a multiyear, guaranteed rookie contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“Bronny James plans to sign a multiyear guaranteed rookie contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell The Athletic and Stadium,” Charania wrote on Twitter. “The No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft starts his NBA career on the Lakers roster.”
Speaking with reporters after the pick that many were waiting for, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka explained a bit more of the process into picking James — beyond just also employing his father — and what he sees from the draftee.
Pelinka also delved into the necessity to pour developmental resources into James and the fellow Lakers youngsters.
“More important than that is to talk about Bronny James as a basketball player, because this is his day and he was the one selected with the 55th pick,” Pelinka said. “Bronny is first and foremost a person of high character and second he is young man that works incredibly hard. And those are the qualities that we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental core with the Lakers. He had a great draft workout with us, where he displayed those qualities to me.”
Bronny James signs guaranteed deal with Lakers after NBA Draft
Pelinka continued to explain what he saw in James’ work ethic when preparing for the pros.
“In an hour lunch that we shared in the building, just to get to know each other, it became clear that he was a man of character,” he said. “In terms of his work ethic, I think we’ve all seen that lived out, too. He’s not a person that is ever taking shortcuts or expected or been entitled about basketball opportunities. He’s worked for everything that he’s gotten, including being selected today at 55.”
Pelinka continued, explaining the excitement he has to let new head coach JJ Redick get to work with James.
“So, it’s an honor for us to add him to our program,” Pelinka said. “Coach Redick is already excited about putting a development plan around him to increase his basketball skills and turn him into the player that we think can impact and help this franchise.”
James’ father LeBron opted out of his contract but is expected to return to the Lakers on a new deal.
LeBron James just completed his 21st NBA season and will turn 40 years old at the end of December. The league’s all-time leading scorer hasn’t lost a step, averaging 25.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54% from the field.
Andrew Graham contributed to this report.