Bronny James leaves G-League door open as NBA Summer League struggles continue

The beginning of Bronny James’ time as basketball teammates with his father might be delayed – unless LeBron is going to join the South Bay Lakers.

After his latest in a string of rough outings playing with other youngsters for the Los Angeles Lakers during the Las Vegas Summer League, Bronny left the door open to accepting an assignment to the Lakers’ affiliate in the developmental G League once the NBA regular season rolls around. 

“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play,” Bronny said Friday night. “No matter what level I’m playing at.”

It’s a change of course for the James family camp after father-son agent Rich Paul spread the word before the draft that Bronny wasn’t interested in the G-League.

“I got the word out early to teams that if you plan on bringing Bronny in, here’s what you need to know: If you won’t give him a real [contract], there’s nothing to talk about,” Paul told ESPN. “It’s hard to get real development on a two-way deal.”

Selected No. 55 overall by the Lakers in what has been interpreted by some as a nepotism pick given his lack of production during one season interrupted by medical concerns at USC, Bronny has made 6-of-26 shots in his first three Summer League games.

He is 0-for-12 from 3-point range.

“I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now,” Bronny said.

Bronny scored eight points in Friday’s loss to the Rockets, when the benefits of G League time were on display because Cam Whitmore – the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft – collected 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Rockets in the game.

Whitmore played 13 games for Houston’s G League affiliate as a rookie.

Dane Johnson, the Lakers coach during the Summer League, said he generally thinks all draftees “are going to be in the G League at some point.”

Johnson shrugged off Bronny’s slow start.

“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.”