Bronny James’ Lakers contract details: why is his deal unusual?

Bronny James’ NBA prospects have been the subject of intense speculation ever since it became known he would be making himself eligible for the 2024 Draft. We got the fairytale we all wanted last week when the Los Angeles Lakers used their 55th pick to draft the 19-year-old, who is set to line up alongside dad LeBron James next season as part of the league’s first father-son duo.

Bronny’s fully guaranteed Lakers deal

Details are now starting to emerge about James Jr’s contact with the California franchise, with The Athletic’s NBA insider Shams Charania reporting the youngster will sign a multiyear fully guaranteed rookie deal in Los Angeles, which is a relatively unusual move.

Had Bronny been selected in the first round of the draft, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. According to NBA rules, first-round draft picks must receive guaranteed deals on a rookie wage scale, although there is no such obligation for players drafted in the second round.

Generally speaking, second-round picks often get two-way rookie contracts, which allow players to play in both the NBA and the developmental G League. Bronny’s deal means he will only turn out for the Lakers.

What is the NBA rookie minimum salary?

Two-way contracts pay half the value of a rookie minimum salary ($559,782 for the 2023-24 season), with players able to guarantee up to half of that figure ($279,891) if they end up earning a roster spot during the regular season.

As we have established, however, James Jr will not be signing a two-way rookie contract, which means he will receive at least the NBA rookie minimum salary, which was over $1.1 million last season in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

No. 1 draft pick Risacher’s huge Hawks deal

Exact figures have yet to be confirmed and although Bronny will have considerably more job security than other second-round picks, we shouldn’t expect him to pick up anywhere near the reported $57.2 million over four years No.1 draft pick Zaccharie Riscaher is set to make.