Will Bronny James make the Lakers roster? Explaining rookie’s salary, contract in 2024-25 NBA season

Bronny James has had his fair share of struggles to start his NBA career, but the outlook for the future remains mostly positive.

After he was selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, James experienced highs and lows throughout two different NBA Summer Leagues and has had a difficult time finding his stride during the preseason. With that in mind, many have called his standing as an NBA player into question.

Difficult as a time James may be having, his performance is not atypical of a late second-round pick. As preseason winds down, many now are left to wonder whether or not the 20-year-old will make it past LA’s final roster cuts ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Here is a closer look at James’ chances to make the Lakers roster for opening night of the upcoming NBA season.

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Will Bronny James make the Lakers roster?

James is likely to make the Lakers roster due to the nature of his contract and the franchise’s long-term vision for him as a prospect.

After the draft, James inked a four-year contract that is fully guaranteed through the first two seasons. It is highly unlikely that LA would incur the cap hit associated with cutting a player with that type of contract guarantee, regardless of his annual salary and cap hit.

Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski noted in June that LA plans to develop James with its G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, during his rookie season. Those development plans suggest the Lakers are taking a big-picture approach to James’ career.

James’ representation is on record saying he would not accept a two-way contract, so this arrangement will mean James spends the majority of his time in the G League while on an NBA contract.

It helps, of course, that his father, LeBron James, remains on the Lakers and is still performing at an All-NBA level. They have an opportunity to make history by becoming the first father and son to play together in an NBA regular season game.

POSITIONAL RANKINGS: PG | SG | SF | PF | C

Bronny James contract

James signed a four-year, $7.9 million contract with the Lakers. His contract is fully guaranteed through the 2025-26 season.

The third year of James’ contract becomes fully guaranteed on June 29, 2026. The fourth year of his contract is a team option that becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2028.

All salary figures via Spotrac.

Season	Salary	Age
2024-25	$1,157,153	20
2025-26	$1,955,377	21
2026-27	$2,296,271 (Partial Guarantee)	22
2027-28	$2,486,995 (Team Option)	23

MORE BRONNY JAMES: Preseason game log | LeBron in disbelief after sharing NBA floor with son

Lakers roster 2024

James is one of 15 members of the Lakers who is on a fully guaranteed standard NBA contract. NBA rules permit teams to carry 15 players on standard contracts and three players on two-way contracts.

During training camp, teams may carry up to 21 players on the roster. 

Player	Pos.	Salary	Age
LeBron James	F	$48.7 million	39
Anthony Davis	C	$43.2 million	31
D’Angelo Russell	G	$18.7 million	28
Rui Hachimura	F	$17.0 million	26
Austin Reaves	G	$12.9 million	26
Gabe Vincent	G	$11.0 million	28
Jarred Vanderbilt	F	$10.7 million	25
Max Christie	G	$7.1 million	21
Jalen Hood-Schifino	G	$3.9 million	21
Dalton Knecht	F	$3.8 million	23
Christian Wood	C	$3.0 million	29
Jaxson Hayes	C	$2.5 million	24
Cam Reddish	F	$2.5 million	25
Maxwell Lewis	F	$1.9 million	22
Bronny James	G	$1.2 million	20
Colin Castleton	F	Two-way	24
Christian Koloko	C	Two-way	24
Armel Traore	G	Two-way	21
Jordan Goodwin	G	Exhibit 10	26
Kylor Kelly	C	Exhibit 10	27
Quincy Olivari	G	Exhibit 10	23