Bronny: ‘Looking forward’ to playing any level of basketball

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James is open to playing basketball at any level in his first season in the NBA – including the G League.

“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play, no matter what level I’m playing at,” James said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

James’ response came after a question about the potential of spending time in the G League. It followed a Las Vegas Summer League game in which Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore, who played 13 games for the franchise’s developmental affiliate last season, finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in a victory against the Lakers.

James scored six points in the first quarter but stumbled offensively through the rest of the game, finishing with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting and three turnovers. Over his three Summer League games, including two at the California Classic, James is shooting 6-of-26 from the field and has yet to make a 3-pointer.

“The shot hasn’t been falling,” James said, according to The Associated Press.

Bronny’s agent, Rich Paul, said before the draft that he had no interest in allowing James to sign a two-way deal with a prospective team, which allows players to be rostered on both the main and development club during the season.

Dane Johnson, who serves as both the coach of the Lakers’ Summer League squad and G League team, thinks that both of the franchise’s draft picks will play with the developmental side at some point during the season. L.A. also drafted Dalton Knecht with the 17th selection in June’s draft.

James’ next chance to play will be on Monday against the Boston Celtics.