Bronny James is open to any opportunity in his first professional season, emphasizing his desire 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 following the Lakers’ 99-80 loss to the Houston Rockets in the Las Vegas Summer League opener.
When asked about the possibility of spending time in the G League, James expressed his readiness to embrace any assignment. His comments came after Houston’s Cam Whitmore, a standout rookie, showcased his skills. Whitmore played 13 games for Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and averaged impressive stats.
James had a challenging game, scoring only eight points on 3-for-14 shooting (0-for-8 from three-point range). Through three summer league games, James has struggled offensively, shooting just 23.1% overall and going 0-for-12 from beyond the arc. “I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now,” he said.
Despite James’ early offensive struggles, Lakers’ summer league coach Dane Johnson remains optimistic about his future. “He’s going to have a long career. This is just the beginning,” Johnson said. When asked about James potentially spending time in the G League, Johnson stated, “I don’t know about that yet, so I can’t really comment on that.”
Dalton Knecht, a rookie taken with the 17th pick, led the Lakers with 25 points against the Rockets. James’ recent comments represent a shift from his pre-draft stance, where his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, indicated that James was not interested in two-way contracts.
Despite offensive struggles, James continued to play strong defense, recording two steals and frequently guarding Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard. “I’ve known Reed since fifth grade,” James said. “I was trying to pick him up full court and show my effort to the GM and coaches.”
Lakers’ top executives and coaching staff, including Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick, observed the game closely. Redick praised James’ defensive performance, emphasizing the importance of pressuring the ball. “I want you up pressuring the ball,” Redick told James.