Bronny James: Ready for any level with Lakers after summer - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Bronny James says he will welcome any assignment in his first season as a professional, as long as it comes with a chance to play and improve as a basketball player.

«I'm just looking forward to any basketball I play — no matter what level I'm playing at,» James said after the Los Angeles Lakers' 99-80 loss to the Houston Rockets in L.A.'s opening game in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday.

James was asked about the possibility of spending time in the G League after Houston's Cam Whitmore — the Rockets' No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 draft — finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

As a rookie, Whitmore played 13 games for Houston's G League affiliate — the Rio Grande Valley Vipers — and averaged 26.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals.

After scoring a quick six points to put L.A. up 13-10 midway through the first quarter against Houston, James struggled on offense the rest of the way, finishing with eight points on 3-for-14 shooting (0-for-8 from 3) with three turnovers.

Through three summer league games, including two in the California Classic, James is shooting 6-for-26 overall (23.1%) and 0-for-12 from 3.

«I just feel like I'm in a little slump right now,» James said.

Dane Johnson, the Lakers' summer league coach, shrugged off James' early offensive woes.

«Shoot, he's going to have a long career,» Johnson said. «This is just the beginning. We just keep instilling [confidence], keep that in their heads. So, we've got a long way to go.»

Johnson, who primarily coaches L.A.'s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, was asked about James potentially spending time in the G League next season.

«I don't know about that yet, so I can't really comment on that,» Johnson said.