Bronny James may not be the most coveted prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft. However, he’s certainly the most talked about.
The USC product, and son of LeBron James, was the highest-earning college athlete during his brief stint in Pasadena, collecting an estimated $5.9 million in name, image and likeness (NIL) money, according to From On3 Estimates. For comparison, Colorado star Shedeur Sanders, who ranks second on the NIL list, earned “only” $4 million in 2023.
Given his famous last name, James could very well be rolling in endorsement money after making the jump from college to pro basketball, but his NBA contract is expected to be fairly ordinary in comparison.
So what could James’ rookie contract look like? Jugo Mobile details what kind of contract James could receive as he prepares for life as a professional baseball player.
Bronny James’ rookie contract explained
James is signing a four-year guaranteed contract worth $7.9 million with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Athletic Bilbao’s Shams CharaniaThe fourth year of the deal is a team option, but James will begin his career on the Lakers’ roster rather than playing in the G League.
Typically, rookie contracts for second-round picks are pretty underwhelming compared to their first-round counterparts. There is a rookie pay scale that states that players selected at the top of the draft board earn more than players selected during the latter part of a round. But that scale only exists for first-round picks, not second-rounders.
In theory, the team that drafts James will be able to offer him whatever it sees fit. However, since James, like any player selected in the second round, will likely not be viewed by the franchise that drafts him as a surefire NBA talent, that could limit his earning potential as a rookie.
Players selected in the second round typically sign contracts that contain little or no guaranteed money. Some might even agree to two-way contracts, deals that require them to split their time between the NBA and the G League.
James is a rare exception. His agent, Rich Paul, indicated that James will not sign a two-way contract in an interview with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes in May. Such a statement certainly put off some front offices. However, it should allow him to secure a bit more money with his prospective employer.
The Nuggets signed 2023 second-round draft pick Jalen Pickett (No. 32 overall) to a four-year, $8.2 million deal ($5.8 million guaranteed). By contrast, the final pick of last year’s second-round draft, Chris Livingston, agreed to a four-year, $7.6 million deal ($3.1 million guaranteed) with the Bucks. Two-way players made about $560,000 in 2023-24 — half the league’s rookie minimum salary, by comparison.
James’ $1.975 million average annual value is therefore a pretty solid minimum salary (and an atypical investment) for a second-round pick. If he plays his cards right and secures a spot on a team particularly impressed with his services, he could command quite a bit more in due time.
Bronny James contract details
James will earn $1.2 million in the 2024-25 season, By Bobby Marks of ESPNHis team option for 2027-28 will be worth around $2.5 million.
| Season | Salary |
| 2024-25 | $1,157,143 |
| 2025-26 | $1,955,377 |
| 2026-27 | $2,296,271 |
| 2027-28 | $2,486,995 (up to) |
