They’re about to make history as the first father-son duo in the NBA. Bronny James just got drafted onto his father LeBron’s team. The 19-year-old basketball player was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers on June 27, 2024.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement, “In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical. We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out … but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”
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The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated the draft by posting two posts. One post was captioned, “Family business,” and another captioned, “Welcome to the #LakeShow, @bronny.” LeBron also expressed his excitement by posting a carousel of their father-son moments on the court, and captioned it, “LEGACY!!!!!! 🤴🏾🤴🏾” Though they’ll be on the court at the same time, their contracts are way different from each other.
What is Bronny James’ contract?
Bronny James might land a salary floor deal that’s worth $1.2 million, according to Sporting News. Bronny was the 55th pick in the second round of the draft. Because he was in the second-round draft, his contract isn’t immediately available, unlike the first-round drafts.
For comparison, first-pick Zaccharie Risacher was given a two-year $25.8M contract by the Atlanta Hawks. The last first-round pick and 30th overall player Baylor Scheierman was given a two-year $5.1M contract by the Boston Celtics.
What is LeBron James’ contract?
LeBron James‘ current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers is $51,415,938. As he is in his final year of his contract, the team is willing to offer the 39-year-old player the maximum three-year, $162 million deal he is eligible for to keep him with the franchise, sources told ESPN.
If LeBron James chooses to be a free agent when his contract is over, the Lakers have big competition. The Philadelphia 76ers have max cap space and the Oklahoma City Thunder can offer what they could. However, LeBron might be heading towards his final years on the court. The MVP expressed major interest in playing with his son close to his retirement. “My last year will be played with my son,” LeBron told the Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
He clarified his statements in an interview with ESPN, “I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny. Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him,” he said. “. . . But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
