Agent Rich Paul advocated for Bronny James to be on a legitimate NBA contract instead of a two-way or non-guaranteed deal, a request that not every agent is able to fulfill. Thanks to Paul’s influence, Bronny will be signing a guaranteed deal with the Lakers, a move reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. Alongside Lakers’ first-round pick Dalton Knecht, Bronny will be officially introduced as a member of the team later today. The Lakers have the option to sign Bronny using a minimum deal or a second-round exception.
Critics may question whether Bronny earned his contract based on his father’s influence, but nepotism is prevalent in all aspects of sports and American society. Bronny and Rich Paul are simply making the most of the opportunities presented to them. The real question is how Bronny will utilize this chance. Despite being a promising prospect, scouts believe he still has a lot of development ahead of him. Standing at 6’1″, Bronny lacks the skills to play point guard or shooting guard at an NBA level. He will likely spend a significant portion of his rookie season and potentially his second season in the G-League.
Bronny will face a unique spotlight as he works on his development, a challenge that most second-round picks do not have to navigate. Despite these obstacles, having a guaranteed deal gives him the security and opportunity to grow as a player. While he may have moments playing alongside his father in the NBA, the focus will be on his development and progression as he strives to make a name for himself in the league.