If Bronny James does make it to the NBA, Rich Paul has stated that a two-way deal is not possible.
Bronny James is currently in the middle of the draft process, having recently completed the NBA Draft Combine and Klutch Sports Pro Day at the Lakers’ practice facility.
Now, his agent, Rich Paul, who also represents Lakers players LeBron James and Anthony Davis, has spoken with Chris Haynes of the Bleacher Report about one of the contracts Bronny will not sign this summer.
BR: Is it correct that you would not sign Bronny to a two-way contract?
RP: That is totally true. Teams understand this. I am not doing that.
Paul believes this sends a clear message to all organizations that Bronny only wants to be on an NBA roster. Many second-round draft picks become two-way players, dividing their time between the NBA and the G-league, but that does not appear to be the path Klutch wants Bronny to take.
Making this comment likely means that some teams will pass on drafting Bronny. If they choose him, they must either give Bronny a roster space or release him completely because he will not sign a two-way contract.
Bronny may put some people off, but the Lakers and other teams are likely to work him out ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. With so much interest in his potential, he will most certainly be drafted in June, even if a two-way contract is not an option.
Lakers supporters have expressed a desire for the organization to draft Bronny, and with this year’s draft class regarded as one of the weakest in recent memory, taking a chance on the son of your biggest player isn’t the worst idea.
It’s still unclear if they’ll take him or keep the picks they have now.
The New Orleans Pelicans can still acquire the Lakers’ No. 17 pick as part of the Davis deal, but rumors indicate that they are more likely to let the Lakers keep the pick and accept the 2025 first-round pick instead.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations, has also expressed a desire to potentially take a “big swing” this summer with their three first-round lottery picks, so that may be the emphasis in late June rather than any draft prospects.
We’ll keep an eye on this scenario as it develops, but one thing is certain: Rich Paul does not want Bronny to join a team on a two-way contract, and the Lakers are still looking into which draft prospects could fit on this squad.
