Bronny James may not be the most coveted prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft. He certainly is the most talked-about, however.
The USC product — and son of LeBron James — was college athletics’ highest earner during his brief spell in Pasadena, raking in an estimated $5.9 million in name, image and likeness (NIL) money, per On3’s estimates. For comparison, Colorado star Shedeur Sanders — second-place on the NIL charts — netted “just” $4 million in 2023.
Given his famous last name, James could very well be rolling in endorsement money after making the leap from college ball to the pros. But his NBA contract is expected to be quite ordinary, by comparison.
So, just what could James’ rookie deal look like? The Sporting News details what type of contract James could receive as he readies for life as a professional ballplayer.
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Bronny James rookie contract, explained
Typically, rookie contracts for second-round selections are fairly underwhelming compared to their first-round counterparts. There is a rookie wage scale that sees 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.
Ostensibly, the team that selects James will be able to offer him whatever it sees fit. However, given the fact that James — like any second-rounder — will likely not be viewed by the franchise that selects him as a surefire NBA talent, that could limit his earning potential as a rookie.
Second-round selections typically ink deals that contain little or no guaranteed money. Some might even agree to two-way contracts — deals that require them to split time between the NBA and the G League.
For James, the former is more likely than the latter. His agent, Rich Paul, indicated that James is not signing a two-way contract in a May interview with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes. Such a declaration certainly turned some front offices away. However, it should allow him to secure a little more money with his prospective employer.
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The Nuggets signed 2023 second-round selection (No. 32 overall) Jalen Pickett to a four-year, $8.2 million deal ($5.8 million guaranteed). Conversely, the last pick of the second round of last year’s draft, Chris Livingston, agreed to a four-year, $7.6 million contract ($3.1 million guaranteed) with the Bucks. Two-way players netted about $560,000 in 2023-24, half of the league’s rookie minimum salary, by comparison.
So, James’ should expect a salary floor of $1.2 million in yearly salary as a member of his franchise’s active roster. If he plays his cards right and secures a spot with a team especially impressed with his services, he could receive a fair bit more.
