Bronny signs record four-year, $7.9M deal as the 55th pick in NBA Draft

Say what you want about the whole Bronny James situation, but it’s impossible to deny the clear nepotism we’re witnessing.

First, his dad essentially forced the Los Angeles Lakers into drafting him with the 55th overall pick, even though Bronny told reporters he’s never actually thought about playing with pops. Fine, whatever.

What’s really going to stir up the anti-Bronny hate is the new contract he just signed with LA. The Lakers handed him a four-year, $7.9 million deal with a fifth-year team option attached to back of it.

Bronny already getting paid the big bucks

Rookie contract with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/mOgZTm1jIR

— Bronny (@BronnyJamesJr) July 3, 2024

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That doesn’t sound like a lot of money in NBA terms, but consider this — last year’s 55th overall selection, a fella by the name of Isaiah Wong, signed a two-way contract totaling just $559,782.

Wong was the ACC Player of the Year in 2023 and led Miami to the Final Four. Bronny averaged four points per game coming off the bench for a bad USC team.

It doesn’t matter how you try to spin this, the whole ordeal is going to bring Bronny a lot of hate that he probably doesn’t deserve. He hasn’t actually done anything wrong, he’s more or less just existed as LeBron James’ oldest son. Unfortunately, existing as LeBron’s son means you’re inevitably going to have to embody whatever LeBron wants you to be.

It’s not Bronny’s fault the Lakers took him and his father taught him to lie through his teeth over the most mundane things. It’s not his fault the Lakers are so scared of LeBron that they decided to sign his son to an unprecedented contract right off the bat.

So, if this pisses you off, I get it. But don’t take it out on the kid. Be mad at LeBron.