Many believe it is highly doubtful that Bronny James earned his way to the NBA without the help of his father, LeBron James.
The same goes for the statement that no nepotism happened when Bronny and Lebron James ended up on the same team.
How about a guaranteed contract as a rookie and a no. 55 pick at that? This is what many NBA fans are not sold on.
Bronny James, who made it to the All-American before suffering and surviving a cardiac arrest, has been granted a four-year, $7.9 million deal by the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal comes with a team option in the last year.
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The contract signing guaranteed that he and his father would be on the main roster once the 2024-2025 NBA season started.
ESPN writer Bobby Marks clarified that Bronny James' rookie contract is standard for second-round picks based on CBA and was also seen in contracts given out last year for those selected 50s and above.
The Bronny James contract is the standard second round pick exception.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 3, 2024
$1,157,143
$1,955,377
$2,296,271
$2,486,995 (team)
It’s the same length in years that three picks in the 50’s signed for last year.
The second round pick exception does not apply against the cap until… https://t.co/i7NornnUth
With that said, what are the critics' gripes about Bronny's deal? They believe it is the timing and how frequently this happens.
Rookie contract before summer league?
A rookie, especially one selected in the second round, must impress first in the summer league to earn a spot on the roster and eventually a contract.
Isaiah Wong was last year's 55th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers. He signed a two-way contract worth $559,782, which was only partially guaranteed. He did not play a single minute for Indiana and is currently out of the league.
The New York Post reported that only three second-round players from last year received fully guaranteed contracts covering three years with a team option in the fourth year.
Aaron Wiggins of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the most successful no. 55 pick so far, starting from a partially guaranteed two-way contract to securing a $47-million extension as a main rotation player.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic earned just $5.5 million in his first four years with the Denver Nuggets. However, it is only because of the minimum NBA cap. Adjusted in inflation, Bronny is making 44 percent more than Jokic.
With his new deal, Bronny is now no. 7 on the list of the highest-earning 55th pick in NBA history in just his first contract. The biggest earner is Patty Mills, who has earned $89.1 million in 15 years.
Bronny James earned it
The problem is the surname attached to Bronny's jersey. People will continue to examine him as the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
New Lakers head coach JJ Redick insisted they did not give anything to Bronny.
"Rob and I did not give Bronny anything," Redick said during the press conference for rookies on July 2.
"Bronny has earned this. Bronny has earned this through hard work. For us, prioritizing player development, we view Bronny as like case study one. His base level of feel, athleticism, point of attack defender, shooting, passing; there's a lot to like about his game."
Bronny is aware of such comments and said he has been dealing with them all his life. Now that he is on the big stage, he is more than ready to prove doubters wrong.
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