NBA agent Rich Paul had made it clear to teams before the draft that he wanted Bronny James to have a real NBA deal, not a two-way or non-guaranteed contract. This is a request that many agents of second-round picks make, but Paul had the leverage to make it happen. Thanks to his negotiation skills as reported by Shams Charania, Bronny will be getting a guaranteed deal with the Lakers.
Bronny, along with Lakers first-round pick Dalton Knecht, will be officially introduced as Lakers later on Tuesday. The Lakers have the option to sign Bronny on a minimum deal or with a second-round exception. While some may criticize the move due to Bronny being LeBron James’ son, the reality is that nepotism is present in all aspects of sports and American life.
Despite being a good athlete with a high basketball IQ, Bronny has work to do before being NBA-ready. Standing at 6’1″, he needs to develop his playmaking skills and his shot. He will likely spend much of his rookie season and possibly the first two in the G-League. This will give him the opportunity to develop his game away from the spotlight that often comes with being a high-profile second-round pick.
Although Bronny will face unique challenges due to his last name, he has the security of a guaranteed deal and the opportunity to grow and improve as a player. He will need to put in the work to make the most of this chance given to him by his agent and the Lakers organization.
