Lakers rookie Bronny James has signed a four-year deal with guaranteed pay that could be worth nearly $8 million, a person with knowledge of the contract but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Times.
James, whom the team introduced on Tuesday, was the Lakers’ 55th pick in the second round after spending one year at the University of Southern California.
The Lakers will have a team option on the fourth year of the contract.
James, who missed the start of his freshman year due to sudden cardiac arrest and surgery for a congenital heart condition, appeared in 25 games for the Trojans, averaging 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.
read more: LeBron James agrees to two-year deal to remain with Lakers, includes no-trade clause
Still, the Lakers believe James can develop into a reliable rotation player who can impact games with his shooting and defensive ability.
“Bronny has earned this honor through hard work, and he’s something of a case study for us as we prioritize player development because of his feel, his athleticism, his fundamental ability to defend, shoot and pass,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Tuesday. “There’s a lot to like about his game, and as we build out our player development program holistically, he’s going to have a great opportunity to develop into a quality NBA player.”
Bronny James will become the first NBA player to share a spot on the league roster with his father. The 39-year-old LeBron James agreed to a two-year contract on Wednesday that comes with a player option and a no-trade clause.
“I’ve already seen stories on social media and the internet and stuff that I might not deserve a chance,” Bronny James said, “but I’ve been dealing with these things my whole life, so it doesn’t change anything. But it’s certainly amplified, but I can get through it.”
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This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
