(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the eye of the storm right now.
The way Rich Paul and his camp dealt with the whole Bronny James situation was met with criticism by plenty of people, and it wasn’t much of a surprise.
What could’ve been a heartwarming history wound up being quite controversial, and they just may have put even more weight on the rookie guard’s shoulders.
Now, people are also questioning the seemingly big-time contract the Lakers gave him.
Despite being the No. 55 pick, Bronny got a four-year deal worth $7.9 million.
He’ll make roughly less than $1.2 million in the first season, and his salary will increase every year, with the final year of his contract being a $2.48 million team option.
However, as much as people may criticize that, NBA analyst Sam Vecenie reported that it’s not out of line with other picks.
Guys, Bronny’s contract is not out of line with other picks in the 50s for teams looking to save money.
-Chris Livingston got 4 yrs, multiple guaranteed years at 58th in 2023
-TJD got the same at 57
-Camara got the same at 52
This does happen.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) July 3, 2024
He claims that the deal is similar to what other picks taken in the 50s have gotten from teams looking to save money, citing Chris Livingston, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Toumani Camara as some examples of that.
Per Vecenie, it’s all about the new CBA.
Still, this is quite different from what last year’s No. 55 pick, Isaiah Wong, got from the Indiana Pacers.
Wong signed a two-way contract worth roughly $560,000 but it’s only partially guaranteed if the player secures a regular-season roster spot, which didn’t happen.
Bronny will likely spend most of his rookie season with the Lakers’ G-League affiliate, and he’ll make significantly more than the average G-League player.
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