Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to reports. the Athletic.
The terms of the deal are not yet known, but rather than receiving a two-year, non-guaranteed contract offer, the 55th overall pick in the last draft is said to have signed a guaranteed pact.
James is therefore expected to be part of the Lakers’ roster rather than playing in a development circuit in 2024-2025.
In the 2023 draft, only 15 players selected in the second round were given guaranteed contracts to play with their NBA clubs, and only three players after the 44th pick were given guaranteed contracts. In 2022, only 12 players selected in the second round were signed to guaranteed contracts.
So far, James is the first and only second-rounder to earn that privilege.
During his injury-shortened freshman season at USC, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.
Bronny wasn’t influenced by Dad
Bronny James says the opportunity to play alongside his famous father didn’t influence his decision to enter the NBA draft.
Now that the Lakers have selected LeBron James’ son, Bronny says he can handle the attention and pressure.
“I’m trying to make my own name,” Bronny said Tuesday. “I just want to work and get better every day. I never really thought I was going to play with my dad. That’s part of the potential picture, but that’s not my main goal.”
The Lakers officially introduced Bronny James and their first-round pick, Dalton Knecht, during a press conference at their training complex.
LA selected Bronny last week, creating the potential for an NBA first: No father-son duo has played in the league at the same time, much less on the same team.
“There’s definitely more pressure,” Bronny admitted. “I see it on social media and on the internet, stuff like maybe I don’t deserve this opportunity. But I’ve been through stuff like this my whole life. It’s nothing different. It’s definitely more amplified, but I can deal with it.”
Bronny, 19, reiterated that he did not make himself eligible simply because his father is still playing at 39.
He added that he didn’t necessarily share his father’s dream of playing together in the league.
Bronny also knows he couldn’t control where he would be drafted.
Bronny James is the eldest son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
LeBron James spent the last six seasons with the Lakers and is almost certain to return to the team, even though he is a free agent.
LeBron James, who stood back, attended Tuesday’s news conference from the back of the Lakers’ gym at the practice facility.
Bronny said he is ready for the challenges ahead.
“My whole life, my dad has told me how important it is to have a work ethic, to listen to your coaches and to be receptive.”
Bronny James has had mixed results with USC after recovering from a heart issue that occurred in July 2023.
“I just feel like I have an opportunity to show what I can do – I didn’t have that many opportunities in college. So I’m excited.”
Bronny hopes to improve in the development system put in place under new coach JJ Redick, who has stressed the need to develop from within.
General manager Rob Pelinka hired Redick in June.
“Rob and I didn’t give Bronny anything,” Redick said. “Bronny earned it through hard work. Whether it’s his game sense, his athleticism, his quickness on defense, his shooting, his passing, there’s a lot to like about his game.”
Bronny James and Knecht are scheduled to play in the Summer League this month in Sacramento and Las Vegas.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together for the Seattle Mariners for parts of 1990 and 1991.
In hockey, Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark with Houston in the WHA and Hartford in the NHL.
2024-07-02 22:52:30
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